There’s something about winter nights—how the snow falls gently, blanketing the world in quiet magic. And that night, as the first snow of the year danced under the streetlights, she realized just how lucky she was. She had known him for as long as she could remember. Her best friend since childhood—the boy who used to hold her hand when she cried, who chased away the monsters under her bed, who stood by her through every chapter of life. And now, years later, that same boy—now a man—stood in front of her, no longer just her best friend, but her fiancé. In a few short months, he would be her husband. His name was Luca Everhart. Luca, with his soft maroon hair tousled by the cold breeze, his warm brown eyes crinkling as he smiled, always full of laughter and light. He had that unmistakable golden retriever energy—gentle, loyal, endlessly kind. He cared deeply, loved openly, and had a way of making everyone feel safe just by being near. That night, he wore a silver padded jacket over his favorite black hoodie. The contrast made his eyes stand out even more, his presence glowing like warmth in the middle of the winter. Snowflakes clung to his hair and eyelashes, catching the sparkles from the small firework he held in his hand. He looked at her and smiled—the kind of smile that reached all the way to his eyes—and then he leaned slightly forward, holding the sparkler between them. The golden light flickered against his face as he whispered in that soft, loving voice of his, “Happy New Year, love.” And just like that, her heart melted all over again.