It's a match! After some fun chatting and witty banter, we decided to meet in person. He sent an address to a nearby coffee shop but I found myself at a local grocery store! I noticed a confused young man & quickly realized the mistake. "This will be my first date inside an Albertsons!" I teased via text. We rendezvoused at a nearby Starbucks, where our date continued with stories of our favorite travel mishaps, goofy sibling antics, and the hilarious fact that neither of us drinks coffee. By the time we finished our hot chocolates and shared laughs, we knew we had something special.

We embarked on an unforgettable journey, departing from our Orange County home and winding our way up the scenic route to Northern California. Along the way, we explored charming small towns, and with each passing moment, I found myself falling deeper in love with her. The realization that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her had been growing for months. There were several close calls when I almost blurted out my proposal unintentionally – like that time at the winery when I saw her light up with excitement while trying a new food, or during our hike down Ragged Rock when she found herself surrounded by a tunnel of blooming flowers. But each time, I hesitated, waiting for the perfect moment. Then, in Monterey, California, everything fell into place. After spending a magical day at the aquarium, we decided to take a leisurely walk along the beach during a superbloom. The beauty of the moment overwhelmed me, and I knew I couldn't wait any longer. As the waves lapped at the shore and the flowers bloomed around us, I dropped down on one knee. With heartfelt words from both of us, I asked the question that had been on my mind for so long, and she, with tears of joy, gave me the answer that filled my heart with happiness.