In 2020, I'd been planning to propose to Katie for months. However, COVID got in the way of my grand plans multiple times. In October 2020, a close friend advised me not to wait to propose because I knew Katie was the one for me. They reminded me life has no guarantees. I immediately purchased the ring and waited for my moment. 

On December 31st, I woke up with a special feeling that I should spontaneously do it that night at midnight, mirroring the start of our relationship on January 1st, 2017. I wrote a bunch of reasons down in the notes app on my phone, and the signs were difficult to ignore. I told a few close friends and planned an impromptu proposal at 12:01 AM, January 1st, 2021. She said yes!