This is me, Mae. (Some of you know me by my first name, Corissa. For all intents and purposes, I’ve referred to myself by my middle name since early college because “Mae” is easier to remember for new friends, and it sort of just stuck.)

I’m your run of the mill Asian geek. I like video games, computers, karaoke, peace signs, art, music, comic books, National Public Radio and Haruki Murakami. I write, but I wouldn’t really call myself a writer. I like cooking, and I think I’m rather better at it than writing. I like fashion, but not enough to dedicate my life to it. I’m an eco-nazi. I’m that person at the office you make fun of for carting away cardboard home, because it’s being thrown out, rather than re-used or recycled…

I’m twenty six. Still in Uni (not for much longer). I work my butt off during the day at a job I don’t so much like, while I go to school at night.

I’ve been dating my gentleman for close to four years.

And now we’re getting married.

This is my fiancé, Nate.

I think he’s the cutest. I didn’t always think so (when we met). But that’s another story for another time.

He’s an Art Director of an Automotive Digital magazine. He’s also a web-designer and coder. He recently just started a design firm, Grid LLC. Each new day, I am always surprised by his motivation, dedication, industriousness and the pride he has for his work. Each new day, I always find myself incredibly proud of everything he does. He humbles me and, at the same time, impresses me.

He broadens my horizons. He was my Reverse Manifest Destiny, bringing me from my myopic, limited existence on the West Coast

to the East Coast, where I touched the Atlantic for the first time,

and Northernmost coast of the country (Michigan).

He also took this sheltered suburban girl

Across the Atlantic

And across the Pacific, to Paradise,

Where he asked me to be his wife, after three and a half years of dating.

He introduced me to running,

And taught me that I am only as limited as I think myself to be, and that I am more capable than I could ever believe… that I am not barred from achievement due to my health, my ailing body or my immune system. Accomplishment is simply a state of mind–you are already capable of doing everything, the only limitation is your imagination.

I am more beautiful to him than any other woman, which is something I am beginning to understand. He is prouder than anyone of me when I attain a goal; he picks me up and pushes me to strive for the best when I short-change myself.

He brought home a surprise as an engagement present, and now we have a little family.

As the days go by, despite the regular ins and outs and stresses and bores and ups and downs of daily life, our Life is getting better and better.

Seriously, I cannot wait for this wedding!