They met at the Lunar New Year festival at the Fayetteville Public Library—easy conversation, instant laughs, and one tiny secret: he noticed her zipper was down and, very gallantly, kept quiet. The next day she went to his family’s house for hotpot (and genuinely thought it belonged to someone else). She wore her beloved Crocs; he loathed them enough to propose a chess wager: if he lost, he’d wear the Crocs; if she lost, she’d stop wearing them. He lost. He still refused to wear them and she liked him anyway.

Before that first meeting, she had actually searched Facebook for a Burmese person in Arkansas and found his profile. First thought—thanks to that trying-to-look-cool photo: “This uncle looks mean.” She didn’t message him, met him at the library a few days later without realizing it was him, and only months later—after they finally traded Facebooks—did the plot twist land & the truth comes out!

They clicked. She loves books; he loves video games. She loves to cook; he loves to eat. She creates joyful messes; he tidies like a ninja. She loves to cuddle; he loves being the pillow. She loves being short; he loves that she’s short. She belts karaoke; he loves listening.

Under fireworks, he asked her to be his girlfriend. A year of sweet things followed—new jobs, road-trip concerts, shopping runs, time flying. Then he flew to Germany for a friend’s wedding, missed her every day and night, and knew. He came home, bought a ring, and planned to propose on their very next trip.

In Houston for a concert, he recreated Monica & Chandler’s proposal—hotel room glowing with candles (she was “sent” to take a quick shower while he lit them)—and she said yes. One week later came a short-and-sweet courthouse “I do.” Why wait?

Since then: grocery runs, weekend rotting and Sunday resets, Starbucks and boba runs, FRIENDS marathons, and last-minute concert road trips—LANY among many. Now it’s time to celebrate with the people who’ve cheered from the start. Bring hugs, best dance moves, and an appetite. He can’t wait; she can’t either.