Joe takes Nelly’s hands and tries to steady his voice.
“Listen,” he says, half-laughing through the nerves, “I’ve got a hernia, and chasing this idea that you’re waiting for some flawless savior nearly broke me. I know I’m not perfect. I’m stubborn, I overthink, I limp a little when it hurts. But I can try. I can show up. I can grow. Nothing is impossible if you try.”
He softens.
“I don’t want to be your hero from a movie. I want to be your partner in real life. The guy who carries the groceries, who sits with you in the waiting room, who believes in you when you forget how. So… marry me. Not because I’m perfect. But because I’ll keep trying, every single day.”