Dustin and I actually met almost 20 years ago. Dustin had recently moved to Chicago and was working for his brother-in-law who was the General Manager of a bar. I also worked at a bar at the time and when we got off of work we would go to the bar where Dustin worked to unwind. Dustin and I dated briefly at that time but decided that neither of us were ready for a serious relationship. We fell somewhat out of touch and didn't see each other for awhile. Several years later Dustin's father passed away and he went to spend time with his mother in Georgia and was there for almost two years. When he returned we ran into each other at the same bar where we met, and reconnected. We started dating shortly after and have now been together for almost seven years. In that time we have bought a house and adopted four children: Asparagus and Macavity our French Bulldogs, and Beatrix and Bernadette our cats.

Dustin went to high school in Farmington, Arkansas and has always been a huge Arkansas Razorbacks fan. For Christmas I got him tickets to an Arkansas basketball game. I told him that we would drive down to Fayetteville, go to the game, and visit his old stomping grounds. Unbeknownst to me, before the trip Dustin had his mother send him one of her rings, and he contacted both my Mother and Father in order to get their blessings. On the night of the game Dustin's nephew Cody joined us and we took a brief tour of the campus. After parking and walking (for what seemed like 5 miles uphill) we finally arrived at Bud Walton Arena. Somehow Dustin managed to get the ring from Cody and next thing I knew was down on one knee. I went into such shock that I still have no idea what he actually said. I am really hoping that somewhere in there he asked me to marry him! Either way I said "of course"! As of February 27, 2024 I have been a fiancé!