Ruben and Desiree’s story began their freshman year of college. Ruben was working at the campus coffee shop when a mutual friend introduced them — he still remembers Desiree’s order, a chai latte. Desiree remembers their first meeting as a quick passing moment, one that made her turn to that same friend and whisper that she thought Ruben was cute. The next day, the friend reported back: Ruben thought she was cute too. From there, lunch breaks turned into long conversations, inside jokes, and the start of something neither of them could quite name yet. Summer came and went without much talking, but when they returned to campus, Desiree worked up the courage to ask Ruben on a date. He said no — at first. But the very next day, Ruben asked HER out instead. She said yes. Their first date was at Yogurtland, where they talked and laughed for hours. Three dates later, Ruben asked Desiree to be his girlfriend. After eight years filled with memories, road trips, guinea pigs, new apartments, and law school, Ruben began planning the moment he would ask Desiree to become his forever. His plan was a romantic picnic proposal at their favorite rose garden — but on the day he planned to propose, Desiree suggested a spontaneous trip to their favorite restaurant in Santa Cruz instead. Quick on his feet, Ruben found a beautiful new spot: a quiet cliffside overlooking the ocean. As the sun set and the waves crashed below, Ruben got down on one knee, pulled out a ring, and asked Desiree to marry him. And she said yes. Now they can’t wait to begin the next chapter of their forever.