We had been dating for ten years. We were in Florida for a friend’s wedding and staying at a beachside hotel. Peter woke me up—way too early—and told me to join him on the balcony to admire the view. Still in my pajamas, I put on my glasses and joined him. Peter handed me a present, a photo album of the precious highlight moments from our ten years together. Ten years of wonderful memories kept my attention. So, I was completely taken by surprise when I turned to the last page and saw a picture of Peter, down on one knee, holding out a diamond engagement ring. I looked up from the photo album, and there he was, doing the same thing, in real life.

Peter and Shelby A.