The ocean and a shared passion for sailing set the stage for Brittany and Bill's love story. One Christmas, Brittany's father sent his four kids on a treasure hunt using GPS coordinates to "find their gift". Their search led them to the Santa Barbara harbor where, after some trial and error locating the correct slip, they found Bill, the skipper wearing a santa hat, aboard a festively decorated sailboat, now named Haligonian. The family initially assumed the boat was chartered for a Christmas day sail. The true surprise came when Bill asked, "What are you going to name her?"—revealing the boat itself was the Christmas gift. The gift of the Haligonian soon sparked a deeper connection. Over the next few years, Brittany and Bill spent time sailing together, growing from close friends into a loving couple. Their shared adventures didn't stop at sea; two years of dating were filled with incredible journeys across land and water, from the Channel Islands to Patagonia and Bali. This past Easter Sunday, Bill brought their journey full circle. He proposed to Brittany right where their life together began: aboard the Haligonian. Brittany was at the helm when Bill got down on one knee. In a moment only sailors would truly understand, she quickly said "Yes!" so they could tack the boat, and then they popped the champagne to celebrate their engagement. They are now excited for the moment they can exchange vows on the shores of Santa Barbara and kick off their future at the Santa Barbara Yacht Club—a place that truly feels like home. The Rings: A Twist of Fate For those who have noticed the silver bands they've both been wearing, there's a special story. During a trip to Bali, they attended a silversmith workshop in the jungle town of Sideman. There, they forged each other's rings—now their wedding bands—out of a raw silver ore. Brittany's ring features a Z twist and Bill's ring an S twist. This design is deeply symbolic: just as every strand in a rope is half S and half Z twist to create an incredibly strong bond, reflecting the kind of strength and durability they wish for their marriage.