Martin Luther King Jr. Day has a different significance for me because it is the day that radically changed my life. Let me take you back to 2003.

I was a junior in college at Nyack College and still trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life (in some respects, I’m still trying to figure that out). Two months prior, I started dating a senior at Nyack College named Melinda and we were truly in love.

At this point we knew we wanted to get married, so much to the point that I already had the ring. During the Winter break, she met my parents and I met her parents. Both of her parents gave us their blessing to get married.

Melinda knew that I had the ring, but didn’t know exactly when I was going to propose. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day we had no school so I spent the day in New York City with my good friend Taylor. When down there I purchased 2 stuffed dogs from legendary toy store FAO Schartz. Upon arriving back on campus, I called up Melinda and asked her to take a ride with me.

During one of the coldest days of the year, we drove down to the Nyack pier with an excellent view of the Hudson River and the Tappan Zee Bridge. There I presented her a gift of the 2 dogs with a ring wrapped in between both dogs.

Of course she said “yes” and we immediately drove back to campus to tell anybody we could. To be honest, I was scared out of my mind because I was making a serious life-commitment. Let’s be honest, I was only 22! But without a doubt in my mind, I did know that God had brought us together and we were supposed to be married.

I believe that in life we are most rewarded when we take risks and just jump to the next step, allowing God to catch us and guide us along the way.

10 years ago I proposed to the love of my life and I am a better man for that today. Looking forward to celebrating our 10 year anniversary in August!

I love you Melinda!