Our love story has felt like the converging of two long winding paths. The funny thing is that these paths almost crossed multiple times, first in West LA (10 years ago)and again in the Southbay (5 years ago), but it seems like the universe was playing the long game. It would take a bold leap of faith to head south (and swipe right) several years later to finally bring us together…right on time. While Dustin likes to joke that it was Lex’s blue eyes and neon pink bike outfit that initially drew him in, it was really her sassy wit and competitive spirit. Lex claims it was Dustin’s smile and height, but really it was his ability to make her feel emotionally safe and his sarcastic sense of humor. It would only take a couple dates and one magical Cardiff beach walk before we both felt this could be something special. As we began to spend more time together that initial feeling of hope became a sense of certainty that this was it. We quickly threw out all our dating rules and began merging our worlds together. Dustin became Lex’s biggest fan at her endurance races, ringing his obnoxious cowbell all along the course to give her an energy boost. Lex became Dustin’s beach companion, coming to watch him surf and having sunset happy hour on the tailgate. It didn’t take long before we met families, went on many adventurers, and found the house that has become our first home (forcing our dog and cat to become reluctant step bros.) At this point you could say we were sprinting down that path at full speed. Then last July we took a special trip to San Francisco that will never be forgotten. Dustin surprised Lex at work with a suitcase and a ticket to her favorite city, presenting it as a makeup for a previous trip that had been canceled due to Covid. We dined in the city, lounged in the parks, and biked the Golden Gate Bridge with friends. Needless to say Lex had a hunch…but come Sunday morning she boarded the plane home feeling disappointed and frustrated. Little did she know that the master plan was to go back to the same beach in Cardiff that had been the setting for so many pivotal moments in their relationship. Dustin got her on the sand and then dropped down to one knee to pop the question. All while a guitarist played “Safe” by Bay Ledges, the song that was playing when he first said I love you. Neither one of us are entirely sure what was actually said in the moment, but the love and excitement was overflowing. Now our path is headed to La Jolla Cove, where we are excited to start our journey as husband and wife. To put a cherry on top of this sweet love story, we’ll be taking wedding photos in the same spot that we took our very first couple pic (after Lex’s marathon.) You could sort of say we’re crossing the finish line right where it all started.