Our story began about 25 years ago. Well, kind of. We officially met in our mid-twenties. Our first date was pizza and beer in Monrovia. It was a local spot for both of us to get to know each other. I remember Sarah using barely any crushed red pepper on her pizza to not scare me away with her spice tolerance. Throughout the night we talked a lot about our past and growing up. It turns out, we have a lot in common (hence the “our story beginning 25 years ago”). We grew up going to rival schools (Holy Angels vs St. Rita’s) and in the same grade. Though, we never met, she was always at my school for any sporting event and I was always at hers. Life took us both on our own paths only to bring us back together. To this day, we still do not agree on the better school! However, we are getting married at St. Rita’s, so I guess she wins that one! From that first date our connection grew and grew. God works in mysterious ways, but we could not be happier to find each other when the timing was just right and blossomed into what we have now.

The hardest part of the proposal was picking an idea and sticking with it. I decided to propose at a spot with meaning and a place where we have spent a lot of time, Sena on Myrtle. The back patio was decorated and music was queued. Fortunately, Sena was able to view us on their security cameras and could start the music at the exact right time. I went down on one knee, and asked Sarah to marry me. She said, “Yes, Of Course!!” Shortly afterwards our friends and family came pouring into the patio to celebrate this special occasion which was the second surprise for Sarah! There were only a couple of hurdles to overcome that day: The weather was 100% chance of rain and a sassy Uber driver who kept pressing to drop us off in the wrong area inevitably ruining the surprise. Fortunately, the weather cleared up and the sun came out! Also, I somehow managed to persuade the driver to drop us off in the right area to keep the surprise. Phew! Everything else that day was perfect and I finally asked my best friend to marry me.