The Beginning

A long time ago, a ratchet brilliant, gorgeous, loving, energetic, perfect woman matched with me on Hinge because I had a cute cat.

Both of us took real interest in each other and got to peel each others layers 🧅. I know you had a tough shell to crack, but immediately, you struck me with a ✨sparkle✨ that I never encountered before.

On May 28, 2022, after weeks of woo attempts, this woman hit me with:

No worries but like when it happens it can’t be undone you know. So we move on

This was you, referring to our fate once we were discussing our almost first date, and letting me know that I had no shot.

Thankfully, I don’t take hints very well at all.

A Ride

A month later, after much wearing down, I took you on a ride. 🚴🏽‍♀️ 🚴🏼

Little did I know, I was about to be taken on a ride myself.

I know this was a wild, unexpected experience for you, but this is when I got to know that you were the REAL DEAL and could handle whatever life threw your way.

I got to show you the city the way I see it, and hopefully you got to learn about me a lot even though it wasn’t as intimate as typical first dates really are.

Thank you for powering through this like a champ and keeping the spark alive after all this 😬

Come Back Daily

A Lake

This is around when you gave me another chance despite me traumatizing you on our first date. We finally had what we needed to really get going: time and focus.

Right on that little red dot, on the shore of this lake, I began to fall in love with you.

We chilled on a blanket together and were serenaded by an acoustic guitar player. We got to speak in peace and hug each other and truly enjoy each other’s company, in person, for a long while.

Thank you for giving me the chance that day to get a real conversation in with you and get comfortable with you. This is the day that I learned of our potential.

Love Coming to Life

Europe

This was our first big test for the strength of our relationship. I had to go away for THREE WHOLE MONTHS and we had to work together keep our three month old relationship intact.

Even though this was a huge ask for a relationship so young, we spoke on the phone EVERY day NO MATTER WHAT. This is the type of dedication that could only be expected from the realest, most loyal and loving person. We spoke whether either of us was busy or it was the middle of the night or we would look CRAZY in our respective situations.

Relief in London

Almost magically, we got to go on “vacation” for the first time together halfway through my trip, in LONDON 🇬🇧 of all places.

This is when you showed me that you were really ready to integrate me into your life, even if it meant dealing with stress from your parents’ protectiveness.

We don’t have a ton of photos with both of us in London, actually. But here’s a fun one of us in the tube, innit? 💂🏿‍♀️

Return to Normal

When I got back, we were now around 6 months deep, with REAL relationship milestones under our belt. Still, every second I thought the honeymoon phase was coming to a close, you’d gimme a lil display of love and I would be bubbling with the same excitement that I had the day I met you and made you bike 16.8 miles.

This is a little dollop of your love you gave me on my birthday. As always, nothing matters as long as we're together, whether we're in a 5 star hotel or the trunk of my car.

Now

It’s impossible for me to summarize even the last year with you in any meaningful way.

Even the highlights I picked out feel like a weak representation. I hope it’s always this hard, and that every moment with you will continue to feel like a lifetime (in a good way lol).

So now that I’ve had the opportunity to recap, and show you why I couldn’t imagine anyone else to be my forever Valentine…

Will you be mine?

The Reveal

Thank you for acknowledging your role as my valentine, batooly bees 😚 🐝

For our special day, I’ve planned a day of fun and cute activities in the Greater Montclair Area.

As I grow accustomed to living in the suburbs, I’ve found a ton of local gems and I want a day of sharing the gems with the bees.

9am - My Place

u kno? hangin, gifts, cuddles, kickoff

12:30pm - Samba, Montclair

Brazilian brunch! 🇧🇷 Brunch Menu

2pm - Turtle Back Zoo

Animal observation while high 🍃 This is something I have never done before AND it’s super famous!! But open to flexibility here if you wanna try something else.

4pm - Eagle Rock

Sunset stroll 🌅 🚶🏽‍♀️🫶🏽🚶🏾‍♂️ Scenic viewpoint to enjoy the sunset

5:30pm - Fresco Da Franco, Montclair

Dinner 🍽️ Italian! 🇮🇹 Menu. Super authentic and classy, and not as crowded / crazy.

7:45pm - Faubourg / Montclair Downtown

Nightcap 🍷 Fancy spot in downtown Montclair! They have great wine AND creme brulee 🧑🏾‍🍳 And the ambience / decor is like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

10pm - Jackson

Putting Batooly to sleep 😴