We met at Villanova University while working a volleyball camp. Later that year we were able to spend some time together in Seattle at the NCAA Volleyball Final Four. We ended up spending hours together over a cup of coffee at a little cafe called Storyville, a place that still holds a very special spot in our hearts. From that day on we developed the best kind of friendship, calling each other on advice about our faith, volleyball, and yes, even our dating life. Fast forward through several dramatic events and it was in 2018 we realized that we were meant to be much more than friends.

Ahen had planned to propose on several different occasions, but Covid got in the way of us being able to be in the same city. Due to the travel bans and quarantines we were unable to spend the holidays with our families as well. On Christmas we woke up in Manhattan Beach and immediately got on FaceTime with the Pauly family. Opening presents on Christmas morning is a Pauly tradition and we were not going to let a pandemic get in the way. By the end I had one present left to open. I opened up my gift from Ahen - a Lululemon jacket and loved it! Little did I know there was more in the pocket. After some prodding I finally put my hand in the pocket and pulled out a box. I looked over at Ahen and he was on one knee and my whole family was cheering. Still not sure if he actually asked me to marry him, but here we are :)