After finishing grad school and moving to Richmond together, the next step in our relationship was on our minds. We had discussed our engagement vision over the years, and when we realized that our 4-year dating anniversary was coming up, the details quickly settled into place. We wanted to propose to one another, and our anniversary was the perfect day to do so. We both took off work on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, and we were ready for a day of celebration! Pai made the morning plans. He got Alli in the car and drove to Forest Hill Park, a park he had scouted out before but Alli had yet to visit. We had a nice stroll and found a picnic-perfect spot by the lake in the middle of the park. Pai laid out a blanket, an impressive charcuterie board, and a framed hand-written sign that read "I want to spend my life with you, Alli. Will you marry me?" (Precious!) Pai got down on one knee and put a ring on Alli's finger. It was official! We enjoyed our picnic and the giddy feeling that we were really engaged! But there was an important step left: Alli's proposal to Pai. After some relaxation at home, Alli got Pai back in the car and drove by four of our favorite restaurants to pick up the dishes, both American and Thai, that would make up our picnic dinner. The final stop was at the Richmond Floodwall on the south side of the James River. Alli set up a candlelit picnic along the river, facing the city skyline. She pulled out the scrapbook of our relationship– "Our Adventure Book"– that we have taken turns updating over the past 4 years. Without Pai knowing, Alli added a new section. Pai flipped through it, reminiscing, until he reached the newest page which read, "Will You Marry Me?" Alli had a ring for Pai, too, and he said, "Yes!" That evening we called our families and celebrated the best feeling in the world! Next was the wedding planning... After consulting with an immigration lawyer, we decided to have a spontaneous ceremony to make our marriage official. Thanks to the officiating of Pai's boss and our friend, the Rev. Dr. Adam Sowder, we became husband and wife on November 30, 2023, in a lovely ceremony on the rocks in the James River near Belle Isle - one of the first places Pai and Alli visited in Richmond. Still wanting to celebrate with our friends and family, we planned our bigger celebration for October 20, 2024! We can't wait! And because two weddings is not enough, we are planning a third in Thailand for late 2025. Let us know if you want to come!