We're getting married!

The first time I laid eyes on Audrey, I could only see her eyes. We were in a mandibular reconstruction surgery and she was the anesthesiology resident for the case. I really had no reason to stand right next to her on her “side of the curtain,” but I purposely didn’t scrub in and observed that part of the procedure next to her because…well, she is beautiful. I started small talk with her about what year she was in residency. She was sweet, soft spoken, and smart. I continued to get in her way and tried to look at her badge to get her last name. I finally got the chance when I shook her hand to say bye. When I left the OR, I looked her up on Facebook and was excited to see she looked even better without the mask. I probably waited a day or so and added her on Facebook and began to talk to her. It took me a few days to ask her out on a dinner date. She said yes! We tried to plan a day to go out, but she always seemed busy. I kept trying to schedule something, and she finally told me she was too busy to go out with me and it wasn’t the right time in her life. She said no! I felt that was code for see ya never but I would still message her from time to time, hanging onto some hope still. I guess she finally saw the light and agreed to dinner after a few weeks of anticipation. On 10/22/17 we went to La Volata, a local Italian restaurant in Redlands. When I first saw her there without her mask on, I was even more impressed. The date went well and we took it slow for a few months just getting to know each other in-between our very busy schedules. In February 2018, I asked her to be my girlfriend. On May 27th 2018, on her birthday, I told her I loved her. A year later we took our first international trip together to Spain, and in the Plaza de Sevilla I proposed to her. Since then, my love for her has grown even more, and I can’t imagine life without her. Everyday I’ve been overjoyed and proud to call her my fiancé, and I’ll be calling her my wife on May 30th 2020.

I’ll never forget the day I first met Brian. I was working a late call and sent to take over an ENT flap case. I was taking over for my co-resident and friend Colby and started settling into my anesthesia cockpit as he gave me sign out on the case. After Colby left, this guy in scrubs makes his way over to my side of the curtain and plants himself directly where I typically work. I remember feeling slightly irritated he was in my space lol. He started making small talk and I remember being struck at how outgoing and friendly he was. Maybe an hour or so passed when Brian left and made a point to introduce himself, shake my hand, and say goodbye. The following morning, I logged onto facebook and noticed a new friend request. We started chatting over facebook messenger and he later asked me out to dinner. Our first date was 10/22/17, at La Volata in Redlands. Conversation flowed easily and right away I thought Brian seemed like a really nice guy. Although we both had busy schedules, we managed to make time for dates, and it wasn’t long before I soon discovered what a quality guy Brian is. I am normally a very quiet and reserved person, but Brian had a way of drawing me out of my shell and was easy to open up to. In February he asked me to officially be his girlfriend, and in January nearly one year later he proposed in beautiful Sevilla, Spain. Needless to say, Brian is a tremendous blessing in my life. He is the guy my parents always hoped and prayed I would end up with. Someone who is patient, loving, and kind, as well as thoughtful and attentive in every way. I believe everything happens for a reason and to this day I sometimes marvel at how Brian and I met and how our relationship has blossomed and continues to blossom. Had it not been for that one day in the OR where our paths serendipitously crossed things might be entirely different. I am so grateful to have found Brian and cannot wait to start our life together as husband and wife :)