Four Things on Friday

Four happy thoughts for this week
1. The Super Bowl is this weekend! - I don't like either team, but still...
2. A visit from Jenn and Paul (and Mattie!) this weekend!
3. Corn pudding from City Barbeque
4. Save the Dates from good friends

Four things I'd rather be doing right now
1. Eating at a Chinese buffet with my best friend
2. Reading Stranger than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk
3. Cooking and/or preparing for our Super Bowl party
4. Watching this thug anteater over and over



Four songs on repeat
1. "Out of My League" - Fitz and the Tantrums
2. "No Love" - August Alsina ft. Nicki Minaj
3. "Shut Up and Dance" - Walk the Moon
4. "The Hanging Tree" - James Newton Howard ft. Jennifer Lawrence

Four movies that make me laugh
1. I Love You, Man
2. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
3. Ghostbusters
4. Wedding Crashers

Four ridiculous things that make me cry
1. Any kind of unexpected, synchronized, flash mob-type dancing, even this
2. Cute babies - When I see one, I start crying.
3. This commercial
4. "Wild Horses" by The Rolling Stones

Four women I admire
1. My mom
2. Tina Fey
3. JK Rowling
4. Ellen DeGeneres

Four fun things to do in Indianapolis
1. Go duckpin bowling in Fountain Square
2. Explore 100 Acres Art Park at the Indianapolis Museum of Art
3. Paddleboat or walk down the Canal
4. Check out the boutiques and bars on Mass Ave

Four go-to snack foods
1. Cheese and caramel popcorn
2. Raisin Bran
3. Frozen grapes
4. Chips and guacamole

I'll be sucking up my pride and wearing a Bengals shirt during the Super Bowl. Since I'm not rooting for either team, I'll be indulging in snack food #4 while openly judging commercials and Katy Perry's performance. Hopefully we can avoid any and all plays on the word 'deflate' in headlines next Monday morning. I'm not counting on it, though. Have a great weekend, friends.

NHL All-Star Weekend in Columbus

If you know me at all, you know about my Canadian-like love for hockey. So, when I first learned that Columbus was hosting the 2015 NHL All-Star Weekend, I made a mental note to attend, at the very least to check out the festivities. Then, quicker than I expected, that very weekend rolled around and we found ourselves in Buckeye-land for some icy celebrations of both the sport and dessert variety.

First things first, we stopped at the Greater Columbus Convention Center for NHL Fan Fair. Despite the long lines for everything, the convention completely exceeded my expectations. With interactive games, autograph and Q&A sessions, and collectibles galore, the event was my personal version of hockey heaven. Although both Crosby and Malkin backed out of the weekend celebrations due to injury, they were all over the fan fair in the form of pictures, statues, and hockey cards. I took copious pictures. Duh.

While Filip Forsberg signed autographs, I tried to force Wheat to flash him the Predators shirt he was wearing underneath his pullover. No such luck. I bought hockey cards, played Puck-O (which was a giant version of Plink-O), won a Rick Nash 5x7 picture, admired the All-Star Draft stage that was used the night before, and ate pizza. I got autographs from two members of the U.S. Women's Olympic Team in Sochi (goalie Brianne McLaughlin and defense(wo)man Gigi Marvin), held their incredibly heavy silver metals (USA! USA!), hung out with the Oscar Mayer wienermobile, admired the Stanley Cup from afar, and compared my hand size to some of the NHL's finest.

Best of all, I forced begged Wheat to indulge my CROSplay fantasy -- see what I did there?! -- and try on full Sidney Crosby gear and pose for a picture kissing me. I asked the unsuspecting stranger behind me to take the picture and explained that I wanted it to look like I was kissing Crosby himself. Like the best friend I never knew he'd be, he responded, "Understandable."

Once we had our fill of hockey, we made our way to TJ and Tasha's apartment where, yet again, Tasha put all other hostesses to shame by popping a bottle of champagne and feeding us s'mores cupcakes in honor of our engagement. Excellent.

After a couple hours of conversation, we decided to head to dinner at The Old Mohawk, where we watched the Skills Competition and I ate a grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with mac & cheese and pulled pork. Yep, it was as good as it sounds. We promptly pretended that the cupcakes earlier weren't actually dessert and made our way to Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. If you haven't been, go. Run. Don't walk. You can sample as many flavors as you want, but I highly suggest Brambleberry Crisp and Riesling Poached Pear Sorbet.

I know we're getting old because we called it a very early night, but Tasha impressed yet again by treating us to a delicious breakfast and warm, mulled apple cider the next morning. Despite the rain/ice hybrid that was falling, we decided to check out the Winter Park near Nationwide Arena. The park, complete with bonfires, a giant snow slide, an ice skating rink, concessions, a replica Blue Jackets locker room, NHL 2015 on XBox, a live country band, and more Canadian beer than I can name, was absolutely perfect.

We opted with Katzinger's Deli for lunch, where I devoured an authentic reuben, a pickle straight from the barrel, and my very first cheese blintz. We closed the trip with a quick stop at Pistacia Vera, the cutest little pastry kitchen in the German Village. I don't even like the chocolate and peanut butter flavor combo, but I couldn't resist buying a Buckeye macaron. When in Rome, eh?

I didn't want to leave, but heavy snow was threatening. So, we bid our farewells with the knowledge that we'll back in one short month for their Columbus wedding! Hooray!

Indianapolis treasures

Like last year, Wheat and I took full advantage of our day off and free admission to White River State Park facilities on MLK Day. This time around, we opted with the zoo instead of the Indiana State Museum. So, with canned goods in hand, we explored one of our favorite places in Indy with Manny and Elizabeth.

Although it's been relatively warm for January in the Midwest, some of the animals weren't outside, particularly the plains animals. We spent a large chunk of time in the incredible orangutan exhibit, watching them climb around and make faces at the spectators.

Other highlights included:

+ Hearing a male lion roar repeatedly, something I've never experienced. It almost sounded like a dinosaur from Jurassic Park.
+ Getting spit on by a large iguana in the Deserts exhibit.
+ Watching an orangutan actually recognize itself in a picture someone took of it.
+ Petting dogfish sharks and soaking my cardigan in the process.
+ Watching a baboon reach outside of its cage for food.

+ The dolphin show. We've seen it before, but it always makes me squeal like a five-year-old girl.
+ This meerkat standing on a rock.

Because of the free admission, the zoo got really crowded after the first hour. I assure you - it's not fun trying to see around teenagers as they attempt to snapchat selfies with a tiger. Due to the crowds, we left a little early, had lunch at Barcelona Tapas, and followed that up with frozen yogurt at Pearings Cafe. So good. Our spectating continued at Pearings when a couple guys spotted us through the glass and performed a choreographed dance for us. Indianapolis never fails to surprise me.

As the sun was setting, Wheat and I went for a stroll along the canal, our first walk since moving to our new apartment. I really can't complain about our new backyard view.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Wheat and I jetted off to Columbus for some NHL All-Star Game festivities and quality time with TJ and Tasha. Post to come tomorrow because you know I don't have the stamina to write a weekend recap on Sunday night.

Snapshots of Embracing the Cold

|| The perfect place to warm up ||

|| Foggy nights on the canal ||

|| My kind of sugar coma courtesy of Long's ||

|| Cheetahs and orangutans on a sunny January afternoon ||

|| My new and improved view from up here ||

The tough stuff brought on by Selma

Rather than watch Tom Brady toss a deflated football around on Sunday night, Wheat and I did something a little more meaningful with our time and saw Selma. Side note: Don't let me fool you into thinking we're better than the NFL. We hate both the Patriots and the Colts and wanted to take advantage of an empty theater.

The movie itself, despite its recent Oscar nomination snubs, was excellent. The acting was strong, the story was heartbreaking, and it didn't shy away from the unsavory aspects of Dr. King's life (ex. his extramarital affairs) or the internal battle that raged within the Civil Rights movement (ex. the debate over a violent or nonviolent approach, the friction between the SCLC and SNCC, etc.). It also prompted an hour-long discussion on the state of race relations today and what it was like for Wheat growing up in the South. I'm always fascinated to hear how complicated histories are taught to the descendants of the perpetrators. For instance, how are modern German students taught about the Holocaust? How did Wheat learn about the painful history of Alabama while living in Birmingham? I'm equally interested in this topic because most of the southerners I know are fiercely proud of their heritage, despite the knowledge of the atrocities that occurred on the very soil they love.

Of course, that's not to say that descendants of Southern plantation owners or the racists who opposed desegregation aren't equally as horrified by those pages of history. Unfortunately, that's also not to say that those whose ancestors hail from north of the Mason-Dixon line weren't (and still aren't) racist.

As you know, this is still a very sensitive subject.

According to Wheat, growing up in the American South was a uniquely complicated experience. He said that the Civil Rights battles of the 1960s were taught in approximately the same way they were in my little Ohio hometown with minimal skirting around the harsh truths. He did mention, however, that the Civil War is taught a little differently...with slightly less focus put on slavery as the primary cause of the war. Considering that a large percentage of the Southern population is actually African-American, he said that these topics are, for the most part, approached delicately, but honestly.

While growing up, he said that the rich, albeit painful history of the area was almost tangible. Field trips were taken to Birmingham's Sixteenth St. Baptist Church (the site of a bombing that killed four young girls in 1963) and Atlanta's King Center. Despite the painful reminders of the difficult past and the frequent race-related battles still being waged across the country (I wouldn't call Ferguson, Missouri; Sanford, Florida; or Staten Island, New York the traditional "South"), Wheat said that those in the South, both white and black, share a unique bond, forged together by the events that preceded them and a cultural common ground. Specifically, he mentioned sports and music as a source of shared pride, citing Alabama football and the Memphis Grizzlies as primary examples.

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I'm also heartbroken by how events portrayed in the movie still apply today. I don't even mean in the literal sense of white police officers violently beating or killing black citizens. I'm referring to things much simpler, but much more reflective of the big picture.

January box office records are currently being shattered by American Sniper, a movie that chronicles the career of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in American history. While his service and sacrifice are unquestionably admirable (and worthy of a blockbuster movie), it is also important to temper that admiration with the knowledge of Kyle's well-publicized, anti-Muslim sentiments. The Academy has chosen to (rightfully) recognize Bradley Cooper's performance as Kyle, but did not nominate David Oyelowo for his portrayal of Dr. King, which is perfectly fine. But merely one year after praising the impressive performances in 12 Years a Slave, the Academy failed to make any kind of real progress when it decided not to nominate Ava DuVernay for Best Director (Selma). She would have become the first African-American woman nominated for the honor.

And yes, I realize that the Academy Awards aren't meant to pave the way for social change and should be awarded to the best body of work or performance, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. I just can't help but notice the glaring omissions and hypocrisies.

It's not lost on me how sheltered I am.

I walked away from Selma, citing it as an inspirational think piece, completely oblivious to the violence happening in "the bad part of town," a mere three miles away from the comforts of my apartment. However, as easy as it would be for a privileged white girl from Ohio to see Selma and call it 'events of the past,' I know better than to do that. The battle for racial (and gender) equality wages on today...and that's as evident on the streets of Ferguson as it is in the announcement of the Oscar nominations.

The Good and The Bad

Whoa. I have a bad habit of letting this beloved blog of mine fall by the wayside when life gets busy. I don't blame myself, but when I finally sit down at the computer, bright-eyed and ready to write, I'm faced with one of my least favorite questions: What happened last week?

No wonder Adnan doesn't remember what happened in 1999.

Seriously, the last couple weeks have been the usual hodgepodge of both good and bad that has gradually become the norm around here. So, in an effort to ease my mind back into the blogosphere, I'll give you some quick and dirty updates.

The Good

+ My mom is still showing no signs of cancer. Praise God. She had a CT scan of her abdomen and lungs and everything looks good. She had successful colostomy reversal surgery yesterday, so we're just waiting for her to recover and get home. She'll be in the hospital for a week while the doctors make sure the plumbing is functioning properly, so we'd appreciate all the prayers we can get for a quick recovery!

+ I bought a wedding dress. I know my timeline for this whole wedding planning thing is all out of whack (I should probably have a date and venue before the dress, eh?), but thanks to some fortuitous timing and sales at David's Bridal, I found the perfect dress. My mom, best friend, and her mom accompanied me to the store, where we were helped by the sweetest girl (Alqueeah) I could have ever imagined. She actually picked out the dress that I chose, so I'll be forever thankful for her help. The dress fit me perfectly (something I can't usually say) without alterations and I burst into tears when I saw myself in it. I even got to take part in a David's Bridal tradition: Once I picked out the dress, I closed my eyes while wearing it, made a wish, and rang a hand bell. I was fairly nervous heading into the appointment because unlike everyone else I know, I had no idea what kind of dress I wanted, but it turned out to be an exciting, seamless - ha!, and memorable experience.

+ My dad and I finally ate at the Varsity Club for the Pacers vs. Pistons game on Friday. I made reservations for us as his Christmas gift, but in complete honesty, it was just as much a gift to myself. The buffet was delicious (especially the sweet potatoes), dessert was fancy (chocolate-covered strawberries, anyone?), and the view was incredible. Unfortunately, the Pacers lost at the last second, but we still had a great time. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique experience at an NBA game.

The Bad

+ Sickness. Wheat scored himself a pretty nasty head cold that lasted about a week and now I've got something else. What does it mean when your entire neck is swollen? Seriously, I feel like the Rock with how massive my neck feels.

+ I met with a witch doctor nurse practitioner at a Walgreens clinic. In an effort to combat the aforementioned sickness, I made an appointment on Saturday. The kind woman who examined me promptly told me that she doesn't believe in medicine, advised me to stop drinking tap water, and told me to put cold compresses on my neck and eat organic honey with the comb included. She also suggested that I do a bowel cleanse and said that she was only telling me the truth because "we're both Sagitarius and we like to hear the truth." I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry and instead, resorted to begging for an antibiotic. Is it just me or should Walgreens rethink hiring a person who advises against taking medicine?

+ I got my very first speeding ticket. The kicker? I wasn't pulled over, so I didn't even get the chance to employ the cry-my-way-out-of-it strategy. I was doing 51 in a 35, pretty lost on a street I've never been on, in a city I seldom visit, in a state where I don't live...and I got the ticket in the mail. Rather, my dad got the ticket in the mail and had to mail it back (and get it notarized) to prove it wasn't actually him driving the car. Fantastic.

+ The Packers lost the NFC Championship Game in improbable fashion. I don't want to talk about it.

I'll save the MLK-inspired celebrations for tomorrow's post. I mean, if he gets his own day, he certainly deserves his own post.

Fight to the end for O-HI-O.

I've only just now recovered enough to tell you (as if you didn't already know) that my the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Oregon Ducks and 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota, 42-20, on Monday night, en route to securing the first ever College Football Playoff National Championship title.

Via Cincy Shirts, my favorite local clothing shop

Despite four atrocious turnovers, my boys in scarlet and grey ran all over the Ducks...and I mean that literally. Sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott (and his disturbing half jersey) finished the night with 246 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, and the title of offensive MVP. Third-string quarterback -- yeah, read that again -- Cardale Jones certainly didn't travel to Dallas to "play school" as he filled the cleats of his two Heisman-contending predecessors admirably, recording 242 passing yards and both a passing and rushing touchdown. In other words, the night was glorious.

Via Bleacher Report. Yep, that happened. As fans, we must take the good with the bad.

Unfortunately, I live in a land inhabited by Hoosiers, a strange, basketball-obsessed breed that knows nothing of baseball or hockey and blindly worships the Indianapolis Colts. My enthusiasm for the game was met not only with confusion from those around me, but also with indifference. Alas, I wore my Buckeyes shirt, socks, and necklace with pride. Even in the comforts of my own apartment, I was bombarded with Buckeye-fueled vitriol from my SEC-loving fiance. I'm convinced he must be paid on the side for bashing Carlos Hyde, Urban Meyer, and any other Buckeye, past or present, not named Kenny Guiton or Eddie George. Still, I cheered on and was ultimately rewarded with Ohio State's eighth national title in school history.

"Ohio against the world." - Me and LeBron James

I've already popped my Jiffy Pop in anticipation of the tense quarterback drama that awaits us. To all my fellow Buckeye fanatics, the 'I-O'ers to my 'O-H's, the Mirror Lake jumpers, the 'Hang On Sloopy' jammers, the Meatchicken haters, the Big Ten loyalists, and the Best Damn Band in the Land, that was truly something special. Let's do it again next year.

Until next season...Our honor defend. We will fight to the end for O-HI-O!

Four Things on Friday

Guys, is the weather for real right now?

After a mild December (and zero snow for Christmas - boo!), we've been thrust unwillingly into the Ice Age, complete with subzero temperatures and unfathomable wind chills. I actually worked from home once this week because I couldn't imagine the five-minute walk. The next day, I decided to suck it up and trudge my way there. Folks, it's the kind of cold where the snot freezes in your nose one minute after you step outside. It's the kind of cold where the wind hitting your face makes you feel like you have a headache...in your cheeks. It's the kind of cold where weather forecasts use phrases like 'Feels like -25.' Worst of all, it's the kind of cold that keeps me up at night worrying about the dozens of homeless people in this city that I see on a daily basis.

Needless to say, I've been cooped up for a week and it's starting to take a toll on me. I'm blogging on a Friday at 4:00 PM and no one will even read this. This calls for another fun quiz with hints of New Year's resolutions throughout. Here goes:

Four songs on repeat
1. "Sugar" by Maroon 5
2. "Night Changes" by One Direction - Yep. I love them.
3. "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran
4. "Gold" by Chet Faker

Four goals for 2015
1. Visit at least one new state - Arizona and/or Texas, I'm looking at you.
2. Plan and execute a successful wedding
3. Start writing or editing again - I don't mean the free kind.
4. Drink less soda - This will always be a goal until I actually accomplish it.

Four happy thoughts for this week
1. This killer (and easy!) potato soup crock pot recipe
2. Brown Sugar and Fig lotion from Bath & Body Works
3. Baby panda Bao Bao rolling down a snowy hill
4. Oh, just this little sized thing...and the free soda and Ferrero Rocher chocolates you get at Distinctive Diamonds

Four books to read in 2015
1. Yes, Please by Amy Poehler
2. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb
3. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
4. Paper Towns by John Green

Four things I'm looking forward to this weekend
1. More unpacking - I never thought I'd look forward to unpacking
2. The Golden Globes on Sunday
3. Cuddling on the couch with hot chocolate
4. Packers vs. Cowboys - Go Pack, Go!

Four movies I want to see
1. The Theory of Everything - Eddie Redmayne is a revelation.
2. Into the Woods
3. The Imitation Game
4. Wild

Four different dates for 2015
1. Sky Zone indoor trampoline park
2. Paddleboat or kayak on the canal - Follow it up with Italian ice or s'mores at Fresco.
3. Kurt Vonnegut date - Read Bluebeard, go to Vonnegut Memorial Library, and eat at Bluebeard.
4. Complete a fun 5k together

Have a great weekend, everyone! Try to stay warm!

You're winning, 2015.

Unsurprisingly, this first week of January has been an absolute whirlwind. Between the engagement announcement and the overwhelming flood of supportive phone calls, texts, and emails, we've been drowning in love. I'd liken this type of drowning to the way I'd feel if I suddenly found myself in a vat of guacamole. In other words, pretty darn happy and craving tortilla chips.

The over-the-moon happiness extended into New Year's Day when my beloved Buckeyes beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, 42-35. I told Wheat, a pure SEC elitist at heart, that Ohio State sealed the victory when he proposed to me...and he promptly called off the engagement. I'm kidding, of course, but he might actually consider it when he sees how I behave during the National Championship Game.

On Friday, the girls of Central Perk (minus Cara) had our fifth annual gift exchange, this year at Sarah's place in Dayton. As always, it was glorious to reunite with my lovely friends, eat delicious food, catch up on each others' lives, and trade presents. I ended up with a pretty calendar, a 'God Bless This Home' tea light set, a kitchen towel set printed with asparagus, salt and pepper shakers in the shape of asparagus, and a Chris Long figurine. The best news? I found out my housemate Lindsey also got engaged in December!

Saturday, Mommles made her way to Indianapolis for a visit. We walked down the foggy, frozen canal to try Burgerhaus for the first time and I must say - I regret nothing. I tried the Monaco, a burger with cheddar cheese, sauteed mushrooms and onions, avocado, arugula, and wine mayo on a pretzel bun, and the sweet potato fries. It tastes as good as it sounds. We split the parmesan artichoke dip and I single-handedly took down half of it. Oops. The atmosphere was great and I can't wait to go back in the spring.

On a whim, we decided to buy tickets for the Bengals vs. Colts playoff game at Lucas Oil the next day. In a few words, it was rough. The Bengals lost, 26-10, eliminating them in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. We still had a great time repping our Cincinnati gear in our new city. We walked to the game, ate hot dogs, watched a bald eagle fly across the stadium during the national anthem, and sang the Cincinnati fight song after our first and only touchdown of the game. Mike Nugent made a 57-yard field goal. I was surprised how many Bengals fans made the drive, but it was nice to leave in good company. See you next year, fellow masochists. Who-Dey?!

After the game, we hurried back to our apartment so Mommles and I could get to Mimosa and a Masterpiece on time. The studio, which is located on dreamy Mass Ave, was so warm and inviting, but Mommles still wanted some 'liquid courage' before we got to work. We strapped on our aprons, ordered drinks, and followed along stroke-by-stroke as our enthusiastic instructor taught us how to paint the Indianapolis skyline from the canal. Despite a couple minor panic attacks, two tired right arms, 20 paint-spattered fingers, and a stiff neck, our finished products weren't too shabby. It was a fun, laidback atmosphere with great music and lots of help when you needed it. I'll definitely be back, but the verdict is still out on whether or not I can force Wheat to accompany me.

Which one do you like better?

Let's just make it through the work week, so we can wake up on Saturday and pretend it's still holiday break. Sound good? Okay.

My Sure Thing

After years of tears and complaints to my best friend, the moment I worried would never happen to me actually happened on New Year's Eve. In short, I'm engaged!

Over the course of middle school, high school, and college, I muttered the phrase, "I'm going to die alone" more times than I care to admit. Sometimes, it was spoken in the confines of my room, broken up by sobs and sniffles. Other times, it was followed by a short chuckle in an effort to disguise the actual fear in my voice.

I'm not exaggerating when I say this: I never thought I'd find someone who wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. Unlike other girls who daydream about the design of their wedding dress or the color of the flowers at their reception, I spent my nights wondering if that day would come, not when or how.

When I met Wheat, it took me five weeks to realize I wanted to marry him. Five whole weeks. It took considerably longer than that to convince him to take me on a date. However, my persistence paid off and a couple months after that first date, he told me he loved me and I actually felt the true weight of his words.

...and I know this probably sounds strange, but I knew from that moment that we would be married. I'm not a believer in soul mates, but I do know that Wheat and I are better together. We push each other to be the best versions of ourselves and we fit perfectly together when we cuddle or slow dance in the living room. Moments that I would have previously deemed unbearable became tolerable, simply because he was holding my hand. Choosing to hold his hand for the rest of my life was the easiest decision I've ever made.

On New Year's Eve, when he came home from his game with a dozen roses, I didn't think anything of it because that is typical behavior for Wheat. I got off the phone with my Nana, who I called to wish a happy anniversary, even though my Grandad passed away seven years ago. He sat me down on the couch, held my hands, and told me that he didn't want me to remember 2014 as the year my mom got cancer. He wanted me to remember it as the year she beat cancer and the year we got engaged.

And just like that he was on his knee, asking me to marry him. Although I knew it was coming at some point, I melted into a sobbing mess. In my emotional explosion, I forgot to answer him and opted instead with a hug. He asked if that meant yes. I exclaimed, "Of course!" then nervously asked if he was sure (as you can see, I still struggle with confidence issues). As I continued to gasp for breath, he reminded me that he was, in fact, holding an engagement ring, something that had until then gone completely unnoticed by me. Though I've told him time and time again that I hate jewelry, the ring he held was perfect - simple, elegant, and beautiful (in his words, just like me) - proving yet again that he probably knows me better than I know myself.

After informing our immediate family, we spent the rest of the night like a typical New Year's Eve. We met Manny and Elizabeth at Bourbon Street, our local haunt, for dinner. We sang along to '90s songs on the jukebox and toasted to each other at midnight. Back home, we split a bottle of wine, cuddled together on the couch, and fell asleep in a bizarre combination of giddiness and absolute peace. Fittingly, that's exactly how I'd describe my life with Wheat so far - unbelievably exciting, but also my one sure thing.