We're getting married!

When I first met Tera, I was completely in awe. I cooked her a meal—nervously—and I think she actually liked it. Our relationship started long-distance, but before long, she moved in with me. I was especially grateful for that. Not just because I missed her, but because, honestly, I had no clue how to decorate our home. She brought warmth, beauty, and life into our space. Tera is the most humble, kind-hearted person I've ever met. She has this incredible ability to lift my spirits on tough days and brings light into my life just by being herself. When I travel for work, she holds down the fort making sure our home stays beautiful and welcoming. I've never felt so lucky to have someone like her by my side. When I was sent to Hawaii for work, inviting her was a no-brainer. While I worked, she got to enjoy the beach, which (let's be honest) might be her favorite place in the world. I surprised her with a helicopter tour of the island and that's where I proposed. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life, and thankfully, she said, "yes" (with a smile and maybe a laugh).

Alex had surprised me with a helicopter ride around the island of Oahu. I was excited considering I had never been on a helicopter before. Unbeknownst to me, all of the crew knew what was going to happen on this ride (I found out everyone knew after the fact). They took our pictures in front of the helicopter before getting on, perfectly posing me with my left hand on Alex's chest. I know...looking back at it, I laugh now. But I was completely oblivious in the moment. I was just so excited to get on a helicopter! We start the ride and the views are absolutely breathtaking. We had no doors so you could see everything in front and below you. I was taking lots of photos and videos with my phone. At one point, we come up on a waterfall called Sacred Falls. The pilot is telling us stories about it, how it is closed to the public now and no one can see it except from the helicopter, and how it holds cultural meaning for Native Hawaiians (hence it's name). He comes up closer for us to see it along the mountainside. Then I hear Alex call my name. He's to my right. I am looking at the waterfall to my left. I turn to look at him and he is holding a beautiful ring and asks me to marry him! Okay, the funny part to this story is that you have to press a button to speak into the microphone for everyone else to hear you. The entire ride, I kept forgetting I had to push a button for anyone to hear me. So this whole time, I'm saying "Yes!" But I wasn't pushing the button. So for about a solid 30 seconds, I'm smiling and laughing and in complete shock at what is happening. And Alex is so patiently waiting for an answer. Finally, he asks again, "So is that a yes?" And then I FINALLY remember to push the damn button!! And I yell, "YES!" We make our way back to the airport and when we get off, every one of the workers who helped orchestrate and put this all together was anxiously waiting for the answer and asked me if I said "yes." This was when I realized everyone knew the plan the whole time! And we ended the ride with pictures in front of the helicopter, just as we started, with my hand on his chest...and a beautiful ring on my finger. ************************************* We're so excited for this next chapter—hopefully buying another home and finally getting a dog. We are beyond happy to have all of you here to celebrate this special moment with us. Thank you for being part of our journey.