Some love stories begin in a castle or a small village in the countryside. Ours began at a coffee shop. We must have both had the same idea, which isn't surprising considering we both love coffee. As I stepped in, he was making his way out, and in that serendipitous moment, our paths intertwined. Little did we realize, that day marked the inception of an exciting journey together. We were both with mutual friends and all decided to have a seat to catch up. Derek and I immediately connected over music. He, an engineer by profession, and I, a singer by passion, shared identical dreams of achieving greatness in the music industry. A week or so following our initial coffee encounter, a message popped up in my Facebook inbox, suggesting another date, this time to delve deeper into our shared love for music. Without hesitation, I eagerly accepted. Our subsequent coffee dates unfolded like chapters in a story, each page filled with the excitement of a new romance. After 2 years, we made the bold decision to embark on a journey to LA to chase our dreams. Since then, the simple joy of sharing coffee has become a cherished daily ritual.

Derek's work had taken him to the beautiful shores of Hawaii, where he had a grand plan in motion… The stage for this life-altering moment was set at Pololu Valley, a pristine black sands beach nestled in the heart of Kona. Unbeknownst to me, the adventure of a lifetime was about to unfold. We embarked on a mile-long hike down to the beach, the rugged terrain a mere backdrop to the treasure hidden in plain sight. Completely unaware, I was hiking alongside the engagement ring all along the way. The sun-drenched hours drifted by as we swam and socialized with friends. Little did I know, Derek had sneakily prepared a proposal spot in the midst of the festivities. "Let's go for a walk," he gently coaxed, a playful gleam in his eyes. I hesitated, content with the moment as it was. "I'm good right here," I replied, unknowingly brushing off the pivotal invitation. "Come on, it'll be fun," he insisted, his smile hiding his hidden agenda. I decided to indulge him, and together, we strolled towards an open expanse of the beach framed by towering mountains. The air grew charged with anticipation. His demeanor softened, and it was as if he was mentally preparing himself for something extraordinary. We casually walked past the ring box, sitting innocently on the ground. Derek hesitated, casting a glance around to ensure that his friends were capturing this pivotal moment. "What's that?" I asked, playfully pointing out the ring box. Derek bent down, retrieved it, and knelt on one knee. The world around us faded into insignificance. "Will you marry me?" he asked, his voice filled with emotion. Without a second's hesitation, I let out a heartfelt "Yes." The world seemed to hold its breath as he slipped the ring onto my finger and a flower crown adorned my head. Cheers erupted from behind the trees, where our friends had been silently watching, capturing every second. With champagne flowing and smiles beaming, we celebrated knowing that our story had just started a beautiful new chapter.