As I am trying to jog my memory with these pictures we took 17 Years ago, all I can think of is how did I get my hair to stand up like that. It was honestly very impressive and those were definitely the years I peaked so no wonder Natalie was head over heels about me. I'm kidding, but as many of you know, Natalie's sister Amanda and I were in the same class at Upland Christian - where the shorts must be long but the tardy list must be short. So as I was saying, Amanda and I were school friends and then one day I noticed her sister was a very beautiful young lady. I was a strapping 13 year old boy but I was built like a 18 year old high school senior. I wasn't gonna let a few years hold me back so I decided to pursue a very serious relationship with Miss Natalie Marie Haro. We definitely had some fun times together at Disneyland and a few parties before we decided to date as boyfriend and girlfriend. I took her to Prom and Homecoming dances at Damien, as you can see from the pictures and we look the exactly the same, we haven't aged a single day. I ended up going to a local university after high school, which made it easier for me to keep in touch with Natalie throughout the years . I do feel as though this was the way it was meant to be; how we made it back to each other. I couldn't be happier we reconnected the way we did and I am very excited to marry this smart, strong beautiful woman who I am lucky enough to get to call my fiancé and soon my wife.

It was a normal Saturday at home. We were swimming in the pool for a few hours when Adrian suggested we go catch the sunset at the beach. Since he never suggests a last minute trip to the beach I thought to myself, "Oh, maybe this is the moment!" Which he assured me it wasn't by telling me to just throw something on: "It's just the beach - be comfortable and casual." So the hair went into a ponytail, hoodie on, and we were off. Once we got there it was quite crowded; there was literally a rave going on just to the right of us, ladies in thong bikinis in front of us, and someone stood in our way right as the sun was setting but I didn't care. I was having a good time with my honey and couldn't stop laughing at how "romantic" it was. We took a walk down the beach after the sun set and found a spot to be alone. In that moment Adrian started saying really sweet things about how letting me go the first time was one of the biggest mistakes he's ever made and he won't let that happen again. That I inspire him to be a more Godly man so we can raise great kids together and that he has a question to ask me... I turn around and he's on his knee! I was so shocked that my confused/excited inner monologue flew out of my mouth, "Wait! You're doing this now!?" Yup, that was my response which of course made Adrian awkward so he popped back up. I started laughing because he actually caught me off guard even though I knew the proposal was happening soon. My hair was in a ponytail, my nails painted an obnoxiously bright yellow, and barely any makeup on LOL. So I apologized for my response and asked him to get back down there and ask me again. It was absolutely perfect. All of the goofy things that happened leading up to the proposal made it so special, memorable, and hilarious. It completely felt so us. I wouldn't change any of it, and I can't wait to share this story with our kids someday.