Their story all started with a misread time and a second chance. Ivy reluctantly dipped her toe into online dating again. Andrew didn’t have the greatest of expectations either. But they both knew Hinge was the more acceptable dating application, so they took a chance. Andrew found Ivy’s dating profile and decided she looked cute with the bonus of not finding red flags in her bio, while Ivy’s beloved friend swiped on Andrew for her while in line at Disneyland. The text bubbles flew back and forth soon after. It started with small talk about work and dogs, then grew into deep conversations about what they both wanted out of life and a lasting relationship. They both wanted a Ron to their Harry, a Samwise to their Frodo, a Troy to their Gabriella! There were no games, only honesty and authenticity, which led to them to their first date at a boba shop of course! The date was set. The outfit was picked. As Andrew sat in his underwear playing video games because he misinterpreted the time of the date. Ivy arrived at Formosa Aroma and was met only by disagreeable weather and a night shift lingering soon after. She texted Andrew and to his dismay he frantically struggled clothes on himself and was ready to fight traffic, tooth and nail, to make it to Ivy. Alas, it was too late. Most women would not have given a second chance for such dumb-dumb errs of a man. Most men would have simply moved on and (probably) learned to keep their dates and times more orderly. However, Andrew was persistent to make right of his wrong for he genuinely was interested in her. He wanted to give Ivy an excellent date. He apologized to Ivy in a thousand different ways. As he was trying to set a new date, she left for Australia. The missed date was just days before she would fly out, so there would be no chance for a second date soon. Most people would assume interest would wane, but they texted each other throughout the entirety of Ivy’s trip. They kept their conversations going—updates on Ivy’s adventures abroad and Andrew’s newfound passion for hugging strangers to the ground (Jiu-Jitsu). She flew from Australia to Korea. Then, back home where they managed to find another date, the second chance! Andrew was sure to not blow it this time. He arrived early with his little golf cap and what he deemed his ‘fancy’ grey sweater. His eyes went from his phone to his surroundings trying to find the boba shop where Ivy was soon to be. Unknowingly walking in the opposite direction of Formosa Aroma, he read her text telling him to turn around. As he turned, her beautiful presence came out of the tea shop, their eyes met, and she offered a smile. The rest is history—and the start of their forever.

Checklist: friends, an escape room, unsuspecting future wife, dinner, but most importantly, the engagement ring. These were all essential for Andrew and friends to pull off an excellent engagement with minimal awkwardness and sweaty palms. But like all great plans, it takes coordination, time, and charm. Let’s start from the beginning to understand how this whole engagement shindig went down. Months of dating and getting to know his future wife, Andrew knew he had to marry Ivy because all great treasures are once in a lifetime opportunities. After they had previously went ring shopping, Andrew had his jeweler connection create a ring based on Ivy’s preferences. What she didn’t know was Andrew had put in an order right away. Using her love of escape rooms, Andrew devised a plan to propose to Ivy at the end of one, but it had to be the perfect theme: pirate treasure! After finding the perfect location, Intrepid Games, he contacted their head honcho Lindsay. This all couldn’t be coordinated without a proper crew and who better than Jeremy and Jaimie. They were unsuspecting, witty, and subtle and always down for an adventure. Andrew pitched his plan to them after his Jiu Jitsu tournament and they both said something like, “You son of a bitch. I’m in!” With the location, crew, and ring good to go, Andrew just needed to find the perfect date. And what better than proposing on their date-aversary since remembering dates wasn’t Andrew’s strongest talent. To make the proposal even sweeter, he would propose exactly on their one year anniversary. It was proposal night. The crew was ready and the ring was set. Jaimie, Jeremy, and Lindsay had set up the room and placed the ring. It was hidden away in the treasure chest at the end of the escape room. The objective was for Ivy and the crew to solve all the puzzles and open the treasure chest where Andrew would pluck that glittering circle out, get down on one knee, and propose. Andrew even made decorations that were pirate themed for the room that alluded to their many dates such as a wooden putter, a picture of his arch nemesis dressed up as a pirate: J-Hope of BTS, a garland of pictures inside the chest of their favorite moments, even a stuffed pirate panda holding a boba. Pretty much everything Ivy loved and more! Now, you fellas outta know that no plan is perfect even with months of prep time. See, Andrew actually never even went to this escape room and had only communicated with Lindsay through email and phone. There was no guarantee of successfully escaping. He never even visited the restaurant for after the proposal celebration. This all occurred to him and the crew the night before, but thankfully Lindsay would guide them through. Puzzle after puzzle, challenge after challenge, the crew and their unsuspecting marriage candidate solved all the things. Finally, the treasure chest was ready to open with Ivy’s shimmering engagement ring awaiting. As soon as the chest cracked open, Coldplay x BTS's My Universe played from the overhead speakers, the garland of pictures swayed with excitement, Andrew grasped the ring box, turned to face Ivy, and got down on one knee. “That’s not the treasure,” Ivy said as she turned around confused. She tunnel-visioned so badly in the escape room, all the hints and decorations went over her head and she only noticed that the prop treasure inside the chest was just a small black box that Andrew was present on one knee, and not realizing the meaning behind the gesture. She turned to the door to inquire the game master if they had really completed the room, but Jaimie and Jeremy, smiling from ear to ear, blocked her path with recording iPhones. Then the realization set in. Andrew scooted closer to Ivy on his knee and said, “Ivy Nieh, you are the treasure of my life. Will you marry me?” She sweetly said to Andrew, “Shut the (bleep) up!” Tears erupted from Ivy’s face. Then, “Yes!”. Final Checklist: Fiance and one lucky man.