The first time you asked me to marry you was three years…

““The first time you asked me to marry you was three years ago. You told me it didn‚Äôt have to be that day, or the next day, or even that year. You just wanted me to swear I would when I was ready. I said yes, of course, and I meant it with everything in me. We were young and maybe we were na√Øve, thinking we had it all figured out, but one thing I never doubted was that we were meant to be. ‚Äú Haven paused to wipe her cheeks as more tears spilled from her eyes. ‚ÄúWhen I first met you I wasn‚Äôt sure what to think. You were nothing like anyone I‚Äôd ever met before. The things you made me feel were scary, and I wanted nothing more than to stay away from you, but I couldn‚Äôt. I was drawn to you. You gave me hope. You believed in me and helped me, and most of all, you loved me. Me. Out of all he people in the world, you picked me. I was used to being overlooked, used to being invisible, but you saw me. I wouldn‚Äôt be the person I am today without you. I love you, Carmine Marcello DeMarco, and I want you to know I‚Äôm ready now. I‚Äôm ready to spend the rest of my life with you.‚Äù ‚ÄúSempre,‚Äù he whispered, choking on the word. ‚ÄúSempre.‚Äù Haven meant it with every fiber of her being. He was hers forever.””

— J.M. Darhower