It was the second weekend of April, and the Tidal Basin was pink from edge to edge. James had come alone with a camera and no particular plan. Sophia had dragged her sister along and immediately lost her in the crowd.

They both reached for the same branch — one trying to photograph it, one just wanting to smell it — and that was enough. Two years of Sunday farmer's markets, midnight road trips, and one very well-timed proposal on this same path later, we are ready to say yes in front of everyone we love.