We both have a passion for the sport of Taekwondo and that is eventually what brought us together. Carissa was training with some of the MIT team members for international competitions so we first met when she visited Boston on one of her training trips in 2010. Eventually, Carissa moved to Boston in 2012 for graduate school where she began to regularly train at the same studio as me. We both wanted to compete in Pairs Poomsae (synchronized forms) and eventually ended up competing together as partners. After more time passed, we got to know each other better, be there for one another during competition, and that slowly led to a natural bond that kept growing. Not surprising, we solidified our commitment to each other during a Taekwondo Poomsae training camp in October of 2013 and haven't looked back since.

Dave's original plan was to propose on the day of our anniversary 10/04. However, a string of Taekwondo competitions prevented him from doing so as he wanted to make sure I was able to focus. The first weekend I was home after an extended time away, we wanted to go to our favorite getaway location - Newport, RI. Looking at the weather forecast, I told Dave that maybe we should go somewhere else because it was going to rain. Little did I know that Dave had been planning the proposal with a specific location in mind in Newport for that Saturday. Dave, being the adaptable man that he is, didn't force the matter, and we agreed to explore a new town for us, Portland, ME. All day long, while I was just enjoying the exploration of a new city, Dave was (frantically) trying to figure out where to propose to me in this completely foreign town. Around 5pm when the sun was nearly about to set, we made our way to Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in the US. While we were there, Dave needed to "use the restroom" and was gone for a suspiciously long time. I realize later that he was surveying the grounds to find the perfect spot for the proposal. After about an hour later, he returns and said he wanted to show me a different viewpoint of the lighthouse. We climb up to a higher vantage point that overlooked the lighthouse and ocean where he presented me with an anniversary gift - an exact replica of the Wonder Woman tiara and armband to which I immediately put on. Knowing that I love Wonder Woman and what she represents, Dave then proceeded to ask if I would do him the honor of being his Wonder Woman for life - to which I also immediately answered YES! We are so excited you will be joining us to celebrate our special day!