We met at a live-in weight loss facility in Los Angeles, CA in 2011. Dave worked as an IT guy, videographer, website designer and Cherise worked as a personal and group trainer for the clients. Dave first noticed Cherise in passing when he went to the office for a potential filming job and Cherise had no recollection of even seeing him at the time (but Dave was smitten, enchanted by her smile). When Dave was hired in a permanent position, Dave and Cherise began their friendship and started to meet at the gym early to workout, share stories and enjoy music together. Dave would leave little gifts of gum ( since it was a necessity for Cherise), or would go across the street to the grocery store to get Cherise a sandwich for lunch. Dave had quite the crush on Cherise for a while, somewhere around a year, and Cherise was oblivious to it. Everyone at work knew Dave liked Cherise. Perhaps Cherise knew, perhaps she didn't....we shall never know!! (Either way, she let Dave hang on by a string every day!) Our friendship and passion for fitness, health, and family sealed our relationship to make it official, and of course denying it while at work! We both left the job and the facility has since closed...but our friendship and love have continued to grow.

One day shy of 8 years together, standing on the bow of a friend's boat, with arms stretched out like Kate and Jack on the Titanic, we traveled through the Marina Del Rey channel. Dave steps back to "check on something" and I turn around to find him, down on one knee. Dave recites touching words of love and commitment, fumbling a few and getting teary-eyed (as he usually does) while I stand with a big smile on my face. He then takes out the ring, and asks me to marry him holding... a "ring pop"! I say YES, we hug and kiss and onlookers from the shore cheer. I then remind Dave he forgot to bring out the real ring. Dave gets back down on one knee and places the ring on my finger. It fits perfectly and sparkles brilliantly! We then continue out towards to ocean celebrating and enjoying the moment together. The seas are rough that day and as we reach the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Dave becomes deathly seasick. We are forced to turn right around and with Dave hanging over the back of the boat, green as can be. We return to dock the boat and spend the rest of the afternoon barbequing in the Marina. It took him a little while, but it was well worth the wait. It was a day we'll never forget!