Let's take it back to November 2015. Clarisse and Darek both skeptics about finding love online, decided to try online dating after several unsuccessful relationships found the organic way. Well, it all started with a "Hi." from Darek after being Matched. After a couple of exchanged messages, Darek asked for Clarisse's number. The two decided to meet in person. The night of their first meeting Clarisse fell asleep and Darek decided to hang out in the park across the street from Clarisse's San Francisco apartment. Twenty minutes of pondering that maybe he was stood up and quite frightened by the abundance of rats seen in the park, he decided to head home and that's when Clarisse called him and explained she had fallen asleep. Finally they met! After calmed nerves and Darek realizing Clarisse was even more beautiful in person than she was in her profile picture, Darek was determined to woo Clarisse. They had their first date at Ozumo in San Francisco. The physical attraction between the two was magnetic. However, after four dates, Clarisse thought Darek needed more time to mature and ghosted him. The two remained friends on social media where Darek attempted to capture Clarisse's attention a number of times but was defeated. The two ended up dating other people. Fast forward to March 2019, Darek slid in Clarisse's Instagram DM not knowing if she was single or not and said "Hi Wifey." He built up the courage to ask her out again and luckily, Clarisse decided to give it another chance. Given three (3) years had past without seeing and talking to each other, both went on the date with no expectations. Clarisse was pleasantly surprised in the way Darek carried himself and his outlook on life. Their second "first date" was at Martin's Beach and Joe's Restaurant in Half Moon Bay. While waiting for their food, Darek randomly made a joke about marriage to Clarisse. He said "If you are still single in a year, let's get married." Clarisse chuckled at the thought and said "we'll see". The two continued to date and truly enjoyed each other's company. Clarisse shared her love for traveling with Darek where the two explored a number of places from LA to Hawaii to Portugal within the first six months of dating. Clarisse invited Darek to join her on her annual birthday travel, this time to Portugal, where Darek made the relationship official and asked Clarisse to be his girlfriend on September 16, 2019. Since then, Darek and Clarisse have been inseparable and continued to build on their relationship with overflowing excitement for what the future holds for the both of them.

In July 2021, Clarisse planned a trip to Cancun, Mexico for Darek's Birthday where they invited a few close friends to join them. Clarisse surprised Darek with a suite overlooking the beautiful turquoise water and decorated the room with all things hockey since Darek has been playing the sport since he was 5 years old. Little did Clarisse know, the real jaw dropping surprise of a lifetime was coming at the end of an already amazing and epic trip. On July 18, 2021, with the help of their friend who inconspicuously managed to get everyone together after dinner and headed to the beach with each a glass of champagne in their hand, she said "let's toast to our last night in Cancun". Clarisse glanced over at Darek who had been feeling like he was karate kicked in the stomach and asked if he was okay. He said he will be okay and agreed to head over to the beach. Everyone gathered in a circle where each shared their experience and favorite part about the trip; Clarisse took her turn and thanked everyone for coming and making it an even more fun of a trip for Darek's birthday. Darek interjected and said he had something he also would like to say. He thanked the group for such an amazing time and added the trip meant a lot to him...that Clarisse meant so much to him and that he wanted to ask her a question. Before Clarisse could even turn to face Darek, he dropped down on one knee and as soon as she faced him, he asked Clarisse to marry him. Both over come with emotion and Clarisse still in total shock by the surprise, she did not realize she had not said "yes" to the proposal yet until one of their friends yelled out "so what's the answer?!". Clarisse yelled out a big "YES". The newly engaged couple kissed and hugged and said their I love you' s. A truly perfect ending to an epic trip!