Near sixteen years ago, Mae and Cameron met at the Birmingham Unitarian Church: Cameron, the son of a church administrator; Mae, the daughter of a board member. Both were slightly afield of the other's church-related activities - but in their times together the foundation of an extremely pleasant friendship were laid (to say nothing of the more prurient suspicions about them...)

Through the years a gentle interest was kept for each other's lives - general inquiries, well-wishes, alongside very serious business dealings (Cameron still a proud employee of Bear Dollar, Inc.).

In August of 2018, Mae visited with Cameron in East Lansing, where she lamented her undateable nature - to which he replied, "Trust me, you're perfectly dateable - I had the biggest crush on you back in our BUC days."

The spark of romantic interest kindled, Mae and Cameron continued their distant friendship, until Fall of 2021, when they began to spend more time together. A late October "practice date" was offered up by Cameron (the cad), followed by a late-night gaming session with an ultimate stake; winner steals a kiss. With Mario Kart as their chosen field of battle, his victory and prize were practically guaranteed.

Visits thereafter extended to ever-later evenings; alternate sleepovers transmuted to several-day excursions; gaming sessions bordering on life-consuming; and rapid-fire missives sessions carried unto the wee hours. By Yuletide, it was obvious to all around them that something more than friendship had blossomed.

After a week's stay in a cabin up north (through the first of January, no less--with all that signifies, weatherwise!), it was official - Mae and Cameron were inseparable from that point onward. They found a quaint historic rental near downtown Dearborn that Summer, and for these years past have built a wonderful life together. 

Step forward to Christmas 2024 - the engagement ring had been procured, and a plan was in place to pop the question sometime around their dating anniversary. The ring came with a bar of chocolate and Cameron, with inestimable wisdom, decided it would make a tantalizing stocking stuffer. In following the Crawford tradition to label wrapped gifts with a clue as to the contents, "a taste of things to come", was the chosen phrase.

The gifts were opened and set aside, and as Mae and Cameron prepared for brunch she pondered over the line: "A taste of things to come... did you come into a bunch of money?"

"Nope."

"Are we going on a trip?"

"Nuh-uh."

Several questions later and the telling hint was dropped - the chocolate came with something.

Yes, the engagement ring. Yes, it's in the house! Of course you can try it on.

"You know this isn't coming off!"  

And such is their story - from friends to steadfast lovers (Mae's favouritest of tropes).