• My fiancée said yes when I first proposed, but I still asked again about two years later.
• The second engagement was magical — we’d eliminated stressors from the first, and I felt healthier.
• Proposing twice gave me a way to make memories and remind my partner I’m excited to marry her.

I love my fiancée so much that I proposed to her twice.

It wasn’t because I didn’t believe my lover — who is admittedly far out of my league — the first time she said yes, nor was it my pesky perfectionism rearing its demanding head because not every detail went according to plan.

Rather, certain aspects of our engagement didn’t quite meet our expectations.

There are a lot of things my fiancée and I fondly reflect on when we talk about the day we got engaged — the location in her hometown, New York City; the perfect fit of her rose-gold ring from a nearby jeweler; the violinist who flawlessly played her favorite songs.

However, at the same time, it felt sabotaged by some people in our lives who were emotionally standing in our way instead of celebrating us. I was also at the pinnacle of my unhealthiest self, both mentally and physically.

Seeing the pain behind my eyes while looking at the photographs from that otherwise special day eventually became too much to bear.

As the weeks passed, I kept feeling that we deserved another special day, one completely focused on our love, without a damper from self-consciousness or unsupportive connections.

So, I planned a second proposal about two years after the first.

This time around, the proposal day was even more magical

I felt inspired as I planned another proposal to my fiancée.

In the two or so years since the first engagement, we’d eliminated a lot of the stressors that had been holding us back. For one, I’d lost a significant amount of weight and was mentally in a much better place.

Now, I had a chance to profess my undying love for the woman of my dreams again, this time unbothered by others’ opinions and with the renewed confidence that comes with drastically improved health.

Instead of heading back to NYC, I set my sights on proposing during the Disneyland trip we’d been planning.

She had no idea what was to come as we drove to Anaheim, California, with a bubbly Disney playlist serving as the soundtrack to our adventure.

Within the magical confines of Main Street, USA, I got down on one knee and renewed my commitment to the same loving promises I shared the first time around.

I expressed my excitement for our coming marriage, and once more promised her forever. Again, she said yes.

Instead of buying another engagement ring for the occasion, I surprised her with a piece of jewelry that matched the ring she already had.

Then, we headed to the Plaza Inn for a vegan meal surrounded by many of my fiancée’s favorite Disney characters. It felt magical.

A proposal doesn’t need to be a disaster to get a do-over

A second proposal wasn’t necessary, but it was worth it in every way to see the bliss on my fiancée’s face as we created another beautiful moment together.

Now, we have even more wonderful memories to reflect on, and the best part is, the day was entirely about us and our love.

Truthfully, I recommend a second proposal to anyone who felt their first attempt wasn’t as magical as they deserved.

Whether you lost the ring, forgot to say the best parts of your speech, or just had an even better idea, a second proposal could show your lover that you’re recommitting to them in a romantic and innovative way.

Maybe it’s unconventional, but we live in a time when breaking free from tradition is becoming the norm, whether it’s as simple as living together before marriage or as milquetoast as having food trucks at a wedding.

So why not propose to the love of your life a second time? It’s a way to remind them how much you want to marry them — and it could be the start of another great chapter.

• My sister and I planned our father’s 90th birthday party for months, originally as a surprise.
• He had a heart attack two weeks beforehand, and we wondered if we should cancel the celebration.
• We went ahead with the event after consulting with him and his medical team. It gave Dad such joy.

My father has always been a sociable person who loves nothing better than chatting with relatives, friends, and ex-colleagues.

So it seemed like a fun idea to throw him a surprise party for his milestone 90th birthday at a cricket club in the English town where I grew up.

Our intention was “go big or go home,” and my sister, Alison, and I asked dozens of people to join the celebration.

We decided on a newspaper theme because Dad was the former editor in chief of a local newspaper. I spent hours designing the invitation, emphasizing that the event was top secret, and using the font of an old-fashioned typewriter.

The party was organized with military precision

Mom was also kept in the dark because we wanted it to be a surprise for her, too.

The guest list grew by the day as we contacted people from every part of Dad’s life, including his sister-in-law, cousin, nieces, nephews, and neighbors.

Most of the attendees were journalists who’d worked with him during his seven decades in print. We imagined his delight when he met them again.

My sister and I planned the party with military precision from our homes on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.

We bought runners for the tables, framed a huge welcome poster, made bunting, and ordered a massive cake that looked like the front page of Dad’s beloved paper.

Then, two weeks before the party, Dad had a cardiac arrest. He’d shown signs of slowing down over the previous few months, but it was a terrible shock.

Thankfully, the heart attack was relatively mild — but it was enough to keep him in the hospital, followed by a rehab facility for the next seven days.

Mom and Ali stayed at his bedside, while I made concerned calls from the US. It was horrible to live so far away while my family was in need.

The worry was bad enough, but I admit it was compounded by the fact that we’d organized the birthday party. Dad’s health was the absolute priority, but people had been looking forward to the occasion and booked train tickets and hotels.

Dad could have made a virtual appearance

I felt selfish for having those thoughts, but couldn’t bring myself to cancel the celebration quite yet. I consulted with Ali, who agreed we should reassess in a few days’ time.

While Dad quickly showed signs of improvement, we faced a dilemma. Should we do the “sensible thing” and call off the party? Perhaps there was a compromise. What if the event went ahead in Dad’s honor, whether he attended or not?

He was as generous as he was sociable, and wouldn’t have wanted anyone to be disappointed or sad. Besides, he’d get a kick out of all the tributes to him.

We sent an email to tell the guests what had happened. We said we understood if they wanted to decline, but hoped they wouldn’t. Dad could even make a virtual appearance on a giant TV screen, we said.

Most people thought it would be nice to get together for a reunion and celebrate Dad. If they couldn’t raise a glass and appreciate him together, then when could they?

To our relief, Dad rallied over the following week. He returned from the hospital and became quite jovial again. My husband and I flew to England as planned, and he was pleased to see us.

Nevertheless, a big question mark remained over the party. Dad’s medical team was impressed by his continued recovery, and Ali sought their advice. She wanted to know whether it was safe for him to attend. They said it would boost his morale and give him something to look forward to.

Dad delivered a speech himself

Obviously, we no longer kept the lunch a surprise and asked Dad for his opinion. There was no pressure, we said, but if the thought of a celebration appealed to him, we’d do our best to get him there.

His face lit up. “I can’t wait to see everyone,” he said.

We left it until the morning itself for him to finally decide. If he felt up to coming, great. If not, that would be fine. It didn’t really matter because he’d be there in spirit.

Still, proud and determined, Dad made it in person. He shook hands with everyone in the room and laughed at the speeches. He even gave one himself.

The party was a roaring success. Ali and I agreed that we’d done the right thing. We hadn’t seen Dad so happy in years.

• My grandparents have been married for 54 years, and I’ve enjoyed learning from their relationship.
• They’ve taught me how to find joy and meaning in life’s small, everyday moments.
• Now, I look for a steady love anchored by acts of kindness and gentle affection.

My grandparents, whom I call Papa and GG, have been together since they were teenagers and married for 54 years.

As I’ve grown up, I’ve realized the secret to their lasting love hasn’t been perfection or grand gestures. Instead, it’s in finding joy and meaning in life’s small, everyday moments.

Their marriage has taught me how powerful a gentle, consistent love can be, and how beautifully it can shape everything around it.

Here are three of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from them that I hope to bring into my own relationships.

To maintain the “spark,” nurture curiosity

Whether it’s by going on a spontaneous camping trip or navigating retirement together, my grandparents delight in discovering new things about each other.

Both avid readers, they often will sit beneath their orange tree and share quotes from their books. After long Sunday walks through the park, they also like to continue their running card game of gin rummy, laughter, and nostalgic stories tumbling between them.

Even after decades together, they also eat dinner with each other nearly every night, eager to unravel each other’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Find creative, consistent ways to express your love

My grandparents have found a variety of ways to show each other they care.

Every morning, for example, my Papa clips the “Love Is…” comic strip from the newspaper and places it on the kitchen counter for GG. He also writes poems, scribbled on notepads, painted on rocks, or sent as random texts throughout the day.

Meanwhile, GG often sends photos of heart-shaped stones or leaves she finds on her walks, and they both leave handwritten notes in each other’s suitcases when they travel.

Physical affection anchors it all, though. There’s rarely ever a moment when they aren’t holding hands or resting a head on a shoulder. They often seem to do it without even realizing, as though one another is as constant and grounding as gravity.

Remember to prioritize your own happiness, too

In my opinion, one of the reasons their relationship still feels so alive is because they never stopped making room for their individual interests.

GG started playing mahjong in retirement and now competes in tournaments, and Papa likes to play golf around the world.

Instead of resenting or fearing change, they celebrate each other’s passions, and watching each other reinvent themselves sustains their mutual excitement.

The common thread is joy

These days, it can be hard to sift through the barrage of conflicting advice on how to find and cultivate long-lasting love.

Still, witnessing my grandparents build a life out of tiny kindnesses — notes slipped into suitcases, breakfast cartoons, and shared laughter — has shown me the recipe is simpler than we think.

I see how extraordinary it is to share life’s simplest joys, to choose a partner who is real, steady, and kind. That level of devotion is an everyday miracle, and I try to weave those threads into my own relationships.

I send handwritten letters back and forth with my friends and family, and my boyfriend and I collect concert tickets, printed menus, and postcards from trips and dates we’ve experienced.

These items are arranged in a collage in my apartment, ink-stained and wrinkled, but tangible proof of the love my grandparents have taught me to sow.

• Meta denies plans for new performance-based layoffs amid online speculation.
• Meta previously considered annual job cuts based on performance to manage low performers.
• Meta recently cut 10% of its Reality Labs division, affecting over 1,000 employees.

Meta says it will not have a fresh round of performance-based layoffs, even as a smattering of online chatter has raised questions about whether the social media giant will quietly restart its performance-driven purge.

“These are individual cases not related to any company wide initiatives,” a Meta spokesperson told Business Insider when asked about a recent restructuring. “For example we are not doing any 5% low performers like we did last year.”

That’s a notable shift in tone from early 2025, when Business Insider reported that an internal FAQ circulating at Meta suggested performance-based job cuts could become an annual practice, with the company saying it “may use future performance cycles” to move out its lowest performers. Early last year, Meta cut 5% of its workforce, saying it was focusing on its lowest performers.

The clarification also comes as Meta continues to reshape other parts of the business. Last month, the company cut about 10% of its Reality Labs division, a move that affected over 1,000 employees.

Have a tip? Contact Pranav Dixit via email at pranavdixit@protonmail.com or Signal at 1-408-905-9124. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here’s our guide to sharing information securely.

• The US Army is working on an artificial intelligence system to help process more data than humans could.
• The AI is fast, but it also remembers the context and connections humans might forget or miss.
• Soldiers are continuing to develop the AI but have seen success with it so far.

Army leaders say the modern battlefield is so saturated with sensors and networked weapons generating more data than soldiers can realistically process on their own that artificial intelligence is needed to meaningfully sort it all.

For years, the Army’s focus was on fielding more sensors for battlefield information and awareness, but now the service is also having to think about information overload and managing the massive amounts of data coming in.

During a recent US Army and NATO exercise in Europe, troops used a homegrown AI system to consume and sort data. The value wasn’t strictly that the AI could do it faster but rather that it could remember context and patterns that humans couldn’t.

The case from the Dynamic Front exercise is another example of how the US military is increasingly implementing AI and automation into everything from enemy attack simulations to paperwork.

“The modern battlefield, what we’re already seeing across the globe, it is swimming in sensors, and we are drowning in data,” Col. Jeff Pickler, the Army 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force commander, said at a media roundtable on Dynamic Front.

There aren’t enough people to decipher all the available information, he said. “They will never be able to fully process all of that.”

The software aimed at addressing that problem remains in beta testing. In the next iteration of Dynamic Front — which will merge with another exercise, Arcane Front, to pair technology experimentation with theater-level combat rehearsals — Army leaders say they intend to test the AI at a larger scale.

“If we’re looking at a target set in the European theater where we think we’re going to need to process upwards of 1,500 targets a day, that’s beyond the human scope,” Pickler said. “The answer to the equation there is in AI and automations.”

During a potential large-scale conflict in Europe, AI could assist in locating and assessing those targets.

The system can do this quickly, but the speed isn’t the main benefit. AI can remember patterns that humans might forget or not even notice. Pickler gave an example of AI realizing that unrelated shipping reports, a local power outage, and a fertilizer delivery together might suggest missile fueling activity.

“So the difference isn’t seconds versus minutes — it’s minutes instead of months. Not because the machine scans quickly, but because it keeps context across sources that humans can’t hold in memory,” Pickler said after the roundtable.

“It doesn’t replace analysts by reading faster,” he said, “it replaces the weeks analysts spend reconnecting information spread across thousands of reports.”

In a conflict scenario, that could mean analysts reach a clearer picture of the battlefield faster. Correlations between data gathered from different sensors could surface more quickly. If an adversary were fueling, arming, or moving weapons in ways that were not immediately obvious, AI could help flag those links.

Humans, though, would still decide how to respond.

Soldiers have seen success with iterating on the current AI model, the Army said. It’s been retooled during testing, and humans remain in the loop, reviewing outputs at multiple stages.

The goal is to continue increasing the overlap the model would have with human-produced information. In a targeting example, a milestone would be if AI achieved 90 to 95% agreement with humans on 100 target sets.

The Army’s push for AI and automation is also driving the development of its Next Generation Command and Control software, a priority initiative.

The technology being developed by vendor teams including Anduril, Palantir, and Lockheed Martin uses AI and machine learning to provide commanders and soldiers with real-time data on ammunition levels, maintenance needs, intelligence feeds, targeting, and simulated enemy attacks.

But AI is also changing other aspects of how the Army works. Autonomous features in drones, weapons, and targeting might be at the forefront, but behind the scenes, personnel are using new tools, redesigned workflows, and data integration for recruiting, maintenance, and inventors. These are manual tasks that the service believes can be improved with AI.

• Gary Marcus said Matt Shumer’s viral essay about the future of AI missed the mark.
• The AI researcher said Shumer didn’t grapple with the current limitations of AI models.
• “I think that one should work from the facts rather than just trying to cause an alarm,” Marcus told Business Insider.

If that viral essay about AI had been printed on paper, there’s a good chance AI researcher Gary Marcus would’ve ripped it up in disgust.

Marcus acknowledges something is happening in AI — just nowhere near the scale described in the recently viral essay, which predicted a looming disruption “worse than COVID.”

Marcus, who on X criticized the essay written by entrepreneur and investor Matt Shumer as having “not a shred of actual data,” dismissed its contents as alarmist in an interview with Business Insider.

“Hyped-up views have gotten us into a bad place, possibly one that’s going to lead to a serious economic recession or something like that,” Marcus told Business Insider. “And I guess I think that one should work from the facts rather than just trying to cause an alarm.”

In his essay titled “Something Big is Happening,” Shumer, whose past startup sells a subscription-based AI-assisted writing tool, warned that AI would upend not just software engineering, but most jobs done “on a screen.” Shumer also has a small VC fund.

Marcus said that while AI will replace some labor and affect jobs, the process will be much slower than what Schumer and others are describing.

AI can do some things well and help speed up work, but it’s just not near the point of replacing humans, Marcus said.

“AI can do a small subset of the tasks, and that sometimes speeds up human beings and things like that, but it rarely does all of what a human being can do in any particular domain,” he told Business Insider. “This will change over time, just to be clear. It is likely that AI will replace most human labor over the next century, but it’s not likely that it will over the next year or two.”

Companies that move too quickly to replace jobs with AI are likely to find themselves in a similar position as Klarna, Marcus said. In 2024, Klarna touted an AI assistant that could do the equivalent work of 700 people. By May 2025, CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski, long a proponent of AI, said the Swedish fintech was leaning back into recruiting actual people.

“Six months or a year later, they come back with their tails between their legs because it turns out that the AI systems don’t do things as well as the human,” Marcus said. “So, I’m not saying that there’s nothing going on. I’m not saying that there’s no value in these AI systems, but they’re premature.”

Marcus said that the more likely outcome in the short-term is not that AI will replace junior employees but rather that executives think it’s capable of doing so — and make what could ultimately prove to be a costly gamble.

“The biggest thing I think junior people have to worry about right now is a misapprehension by the C-suite that these techniques work better than they actually do,” Marcus said.

As of Friday morning, Shumer’s post has been viewed more than 80 million times on X alone. In a Substack post expanding on his criticisms, Marcus called Schumer’s post “weaponized hype.”

“The general impression that he conveys is basically that the sky is falling now, and at most, I think what’s really happening is the junior people are under some threat, and I think that threat is actually exaggerated,” Marcus told Business Insider.

Shumer previously told Business Insider that he wrote his essay in part to reach people like his dad, who may be skeptical or avoid AI entirely. He felt compelled to warn them about what might be on the horizon, even “if there’s just a 20% chance of it happening.”

Marcus’s biggest critique of Schumer’s post is that it doesn’t take into account current data and research showing that AI still has a long way to go, and that it didn’t present the full context behind a famous Model Evaluation & Threat Research graph assessing AI progress.

He said that other studies, including a June 2025 paper published by Apple’s Machine Learning Research Group, found limitations in what current models can do.

Marcus also said that many leading AI CEOs who have made bold predictions about the future of work have failed to deliver on past ones. He points to xAI CEO Elon Musk’s frequent rosy outlook on the number of robotaxis Tesla will put on the road (Musk once said one million by 2020) and to Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton’s 2016 statement that the world should stop training radiologists. (Last May, Hinton told The New York Times that his prediction was poorly worded and that while he was wrong on the timeline, the general direction for AI’s capabilities in radiology was correct.)

“What they have all learned to do is to sell the rosiest picture possible, and the media rarely calls them out,” Marcus told Business Insider.

On Thursday, Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman made waves by predicting that most, if not all, white-collar tasks could be automated within the next year and a half.

One of the industries Suleyman mentioned is accounting. Marcus isn’t convinced.

“Think about accounting in particular,” he told Business Insider. “Even one mistake can cost a client hundreds of thousands of dollars or get them sent to jail or whatever. Accounting is a business that is built on accuracy. If you’re not accurate, you don’t have a business.”