she swore she'd never resort to online dating again... until she was quarantined. out of boredom, annelise begrudgingly created yet another online dating profile. it was her second day on bumble when she saw kyle's profile. she swiped left (that means 'no thank you')... because of one awkward picture. at 32, she should not have been that picky. kyle, on his first day swiping on the app, discovered annelise's profile. not only did he swipe right (that means 'yes please'), but he PAID MONEY to "super swipe," guaranteeing he'd have an additional 24 hours for annelise to make a decision on whether or not to reach out. they don't know how the technology works, but they're sure that is what allowed kyle's profile to come across annelise's eyes for a second chance. this time, she got over herself, revisited the 6'4" claim (you can never actually trust it's true.) & decided the weird face he was making in that one photo was something she could look past. it was a match! after her initial message & his desperately quick response, they started an incredibly hilarious conversation that never ended...
to know annelise is to know she loves the little things. but also, the big. to know kyle is to know he pays every attention to detail... & that he did! annelise planned a memorial weekend trip with kyle's best friends & their families, as a mellow getaway to golf, swim, eat, drink & relax at an airbnb in palm desert. kyle saw this as his opportunity... the weekend prior, kyle had planned to go "camping." he had poor brandon, a very honest individual, lie to annelise weeks before, asking if kyle could join him on this trip. without question, she said yes. little did she know that when kyle's location sharing "wasn't working" it was because he was on a redeye flight to new york city. after showering in the delta lounge, kyle headed out to retrieve the ring. why new york? because annelise obviously had to have a ring concierge whisper thin® band. so maybe there are four requests, after all. anyways, kyle got the ring & then took it on a tour of new york. he visited a few job sites, had breakfast with her uncles, took the train in to visit, have dinner & a sleepover with her poppa, all before returning to the city & nearly missing his flight home. he landed back in san diego saturday evening & spent the night with sweet, innocent brandon. sunday morning they "packed up camp" & kyle made his way home, desperate for a shower & good coffee, just before the birthday brunch he had organized with her friends. brunch turned into a day of bar hopping & yet again, the ring got a city tour. kyle took pictures of it behind annelise's back at every location... three days before the proposal, the day before they were to leave for the weekend, annelise decided that the location they had picked for brunch would not suffice & they needed a new reservation. kyle, with absolutely no panic, suggested they go to the JW Marriott instead. why the JW? annelise's nana & poppa have hosted family trips for weeks every year since she was a toddler. some of her favorite memories with her nana & brother andrew, both of whom have passed, are from the JW. kyle, knowing this, just knew he had to propose there. however, this completely derailed the plan he had spent weeks putting in place. he created a detailed map & new instructions & quickly updated the friends & family he had gathered for the occasion. so the day came, & so did the wildest sand storm. kyle, annelise, their friends & the kids packed up for brunch & headed off to see the flamingos, check out the duffy boats & eat their hearts out at the brunch buffet. annelise was blissfully unaware, telling everyone the meaning behind the hotel & giving a tour en route to brunch. little did she know, their friends were inside, scouting their every move. once they reached the boat dock, it was time. kyle whispered in her ear from behind & upon turning around, there he was, on one knee. now, kyle's fake proposed a number of times & has been deemed the boy who cried proposal. so naturally, annelise did not believe this was really it... despite being at her favorite place, seeing the ring box & the tears in his eyes. for the first thirty seconds, she repeatedly asked if this was real & if he was lying... he was not. the man of many words suddenly had few to none. after throwing her purse, he managed to ask if she'd marry him & she said OBVIOUSLY... quickly followed by a loud eruption of cheers & applause. not only was the entire lobby staring down on them, but so were many of their friends & family (some who flew in from out of town!) from the fourth floor balcony. to say it was perfect is an understatement. they celebrated with champagne, brunch & an afterparty hosted by their friend david at his house nearby. kyle one- absolutely shocked her, two- got it on camera & three- had many of their favorite people there to celebrate afterward. it was truly the most loving, perfect day!