I’ll never forget the day I found myself serenading a goat in the hills of rural Jamaica. Yes, you read that right—a goat. And no, this wasn’t some hazy dream or plotline from one of my political thrillers. Let me set the scene for you: a sprawling farm, a surprise wedding proposal, and me trying to explain Bob Marley’s “Is This Love” to an unimpressed animal. But let’s back up.

Love (and Goats?) in the Time of Adventure

A few years ago, my cousin Malik invited me to his girlfriend’s family farm in the lush Cockpit Country of Jamaica. For those unfamiliar, Cockpit Country is an expanse of green hills and limestone caves so stunning they could make an Instagram algorithm cry. It’s also the kind of place where Google Maps looks at you and says, “Good luck, fam.” Malik being Malik, told me this would be a "low-key" visit—some coconut water, a little family bonding, and maybe a goat curry. Sounds like a chill weekend, right?

What he failed to mention was that the entire trip was a setup for his elaborate proposal to Nadine, orchestrated like a rom-com climax but starring poorly-informed supporting actors (read: me).

When Romance Takes a Rural Turn

The farm in question was more of a mini-zoo. Goats, chickens, and cows roamed freely as if auditioning for the next Disney animated hit. Malik’s future in-laws were lovely, bustling around like they were hosting a slight reunion for the United Nations. I was there to “help Malik surprise Nadine,” which apparently translated to me becoming an accomplice in a scheme that involved wandering into the Jamaican wilderness, looking for a “perfect romantic spot.”

If you’ve ever been third-wheeling on a mission to spread love, you know the vibes. It’s like being drafted into an indie movie you didn’t sign up for. Malik dragged me on a hike to scout locations—a place where “the light hits just right.” Meanwhile, I was sweating buckets, trying to figure out how climbing what felt like a straight-up vertical hill was part of my vacation plan.

Here’s a footnote for future proposers: when someone says they’ll help, they mean moral support, maybe holding a ring box, not a wilderness trek. By the time Malik found his spot—a clearing overlooking rolling hills—I was halfway reconsidering whether love was even worth it.

Now Enter: The Goat

With the “perfect spot” identified, we retreated to the farmhouse, where Malik swore I’d finally get to relax. Unbeknownst to me, Nadine’s little cousins had other ideas. They decided I would benefit from what they called “a real Jamaican farm experience,” which in this case involved milking a goat. Now, I’m a city guy. The closest I’ve come to a milk-producing mammal is the dairy aisle at Safeway. Yet there I was, crouched next to a very skeptical goat named Sophia.

I’ll admit, I cracked a joke to her while fumbling through the process. “Can’t we just door-dash a latte?” She wasn’t moved. One of the kids shouted, “Sing to her!”—like this was a Disney movie and I was supposed to befriend the lead character. So, naturally, I launched into Marley’s “Is This Love,” because if you’re going to serenade a goat, you might as well aim for a classic.

Spoiler: she still wasn’t impressed. That goat gave me a look like she had endured centuries of human nonsense and I was merely the latest offender.

Lessons in Loving the Chaos

You might be wondering: how does this story tie into love, dating, or anything other than my deep discomfort? Well, here’s the thing: relationships—real relationships—come with moments as chaotic and unexpected as serenading a farm animal. You’ll find yourself in wild situations, doing things you never thought would be your “normal.” Maybe it’s meeting your partner’s loud, question-heavy family. Maybe it’s attending holiday dinners where the turkey is undercooked, or traveling to a place where you feel entirely out of your element.

But here’s the lesson—lean into the madness. Instead of focusing on how absurd (or uncomfortable) a moment might be, embrace it for the story it’ll give you later. In Malik’s case, he could’ve stuck to the safety of a beach proposal, but instead, he leaned on his roots and created a moment that spoke to who he and Nadine are: full of love, effort, and community—even if it meant dragging his city-boy cousin into goat territory.

The Proposal (and How I Didn’t Ruin It!)

Back to the main plot. The proposal went off without a hitch. Malik got down on one knee in that picturesque clearing, ring glinting in the late-afternoon sun, fog rolling dramatically through the hills as though the entire countryside conspired to set the mood. I was in charge of hiding with my phone to take pictures, which I managed to do, goat trauma and all.

Nadine said yes, of course. Tears and hugs followed. Later, when we all gathered back at the farmhouse, her family broke out the good rum, her uncle killed it on the jerk chicken grill, and I spent the evening marveling at how love has a way of making us all just a little braver. Or, in my case, a little more willing to get hands-on with livestock.

How to Navigate Your Own “Goat Moments”

Whether your love life involves proposals or just the awkwardness of meeting someone’s family for the first time, there’s always potential for a “goat moment”—those weird, unpredictable scenarios that push you out of your comfort zone. Here are three takeaways to keep in mind when you’re facing your own:

  1. Find the humor in the mess. Whether you’re tripping over a language barrier, dancing badly at a wedding, or singing to farm animals (ahem), humor can turn a disaster into a fond memory.

  2. Remember the bigger picture. Even if you're knee-deep in chaos, think about why you're there. For me, it was showing up for family. For you, it might be building a connection or showing someone you're willing to try.

  3. Make peace with imperfection. Not everything will go according to plan, and that’s okay. The hiccups often give us the best stories to tell.

Closing Thoughts: From Goats to Growth

Here’s the thing about adventures, whether they're about love or life in general: they rarely go as planned. But isn’t that what makes them worth retelling? That weekend in Jamaica, I learned more about love from goats and proposals than I ever did from books or lectures. Love isn’t always smooth beaches and candlelit dinners. Sometimes, it’s clumsy moments on rocky paths or laughable serenades to unimpressed livestock.

Wherever you are in your own romantic journey—flirting over coffee, deciding whether to commit, or planning the proposal of a lifetime—remember this: the best connections are built not just in perfection, but in the ridiculous, messy, authentic, and unforgettable moments along the way. Even if a goat is staring at you like you’ve lost your mind.