I stayed a week to get the cheapest flights available.

Upon returning, I realised I'd made a mistake. The last week had been the happiest week of my life, and I didn't want to leave them.

Just after returning home, my state closed all borders to incoming travelers. If I were to go back, it would be a one way trip.

I found a hire car, packed all my belongings in it, said goodbye to my family, and started the long drive to move in.

6 months later, I was trying to decide if I wanted to get married or not. I tried to compare the two options as extremes: living with them every day for the rest of my life with no breaks, or never speaking to them again. I couldn't find the slightest issue with the former, and the latter terrified me.

I proposed. They were very surprised. After several minutes of me confirming that this was not a joke, they got excited and said yes.

Neither of us wanted a big wedding. With family scattered over 1000km, Covid restrictions provided a good excuse. We got married with just the celebrant and 2 witnesses.

My mother correctly understood the scale of the wedding when preparing the wedding cake, and made us a 2-tiered wedding muffin.