I met Ethan at a coffee shop two years ago. He spilled his latte on my laptop, apologized for twenty minutes straight, and offered to buy me a new one. I told him dinner would be enough. He laughed. I fell in love.

He was everything I wanted. Kind, funny, successful. A software engineer who actually listened when I talked. Who remembered small things — my favorite flowers, the way I take my coffee, the song that makes me cry.

Six months into dating, I asked about his family.

"Just me and my parents," he said. "Only child."

I believed him. Why wouldn't I?

He proposed on our one-year anniversary. Rooftop restaurant, sunset, a ring that took my breath away. I said yes before he finished asking.

Wedding planning was a dream. His parents flew in from Seattle — lovely people, warm and welcoming. His mom cried when she saw me in my dress.

"Ethan is so lucky," she said. "You're perfect for him."