Maundy Thursday. The most depressing day in the liturgical Church calendar. The evening Jesus was betrayed was the evening we met. We both were volunteering at Hollywood Pres. Avrielle (Deacon and life-long member) was directing a dramatic retelling of The Last Supper. Alex (volunteer and life-long friend to the worship leader) was playing guitar for the service. INT: Main Sanctuary of Hollywood Presbyterian Church. Night. Alex (Late 20's) Sitting in the fourth pew in between rehearsal before service. Keeping to Himself. His peaceful bubble pops with: AVRIELLE so what are you doing here? ALEX I'm playing with the band. AVRIELLE Ohhh so you're a musician? ALEX yeah, more of a music producer but I play so I guess by trade I'm a musician. AVRIELLE Oh so you date twelve year olds. ALEX No *nervous chortle* I like to date people my own age- AVRIELLE Oh you'll like em this age into your seventies. They stay the same while you get older! The younger the dumber, the blonder the better am I right? ALEX ................(what the what?!) Exit AVRIELLE to robbing room ALEX ... Little did Avrielle know that in downtrodden spite, due to other life events her : I quit dating for lent- as a joke; ended that day of Lent! how oddly hysterical and perfect is God's timing.

Phone Alarm rings-6:40AM it's too early for a hike- Avrielle wanted to reschedulel their date- Alex Determined to propose, after being rained on the past two days had been trying to propose to Avrielle. Little did she know Alex had hired a photographer to drive from San Diego (left 4AM) to meet at his apartment 6AM- to sort cameras and scale the hike before the couple. Avrielle was coerced by Alex who had her "stick to her fitness commitment" She should have known when interrupted filling the Britta --Alex's offered to buy alkained water instead at the gas station --"because we're going to be late'...which was peculiar to Avrielle- but then again she was functioning on two hours of sleep. Ask the story in person for all the fun details we will spare you reading now-- lest to say the hike up was nothing short of comedy and tragedy at a cosmic level. They Make it to the top! Avrielle looks out at the view to turn to Alex who is now on his knee?! "he's joking" she thought. confronting,"Alex. thats not funny" he goes to his right pocket. " stop. no no no--- She sees there's a box in his hands NOT A JOKE. with a wry trying to hold back laughter smile " Avrielle Corti will you Marry me?" Avrielle in disbelief says NO no no no no - with the shock of yes yes yes and collapsed incontestably the best surprise of her life. Alex. Left with a sweaty sobbing hiker in his lap. clickclickclickolickclick-- Avrielle looks out to her right there's some maniac taking pictures?!? Alex; grinning big now and quite pleased with himself-- looks back out at the photographer and laughs for a good while. This was planned?! what a great set up. figuratively and literally we left that hike different. Amazing how God uses mountains in our lives to reveal his wonder. The view was brilliant, journey back down was better (than going) up but that moment was the best of their life. (so far)