we're getting married!

As the popular thing to do nowadays, Michael and I met on a dating app, 'Hinge'. He initiated the conversation by commenting on a picture of me in Singapore, where he recently visited during his last deployment. Michael asked to meet up the very next day since he would be leaving town for a couple weeks to visit his family. For our first date, we had sushi (our favorite food) and dessert at a pie cafe. I was so happy to learn that our food preferences were compatible! We were chatting, getting to know each other and I remember thinking "wow, his face is beautiful". Michael seemed serious but sweet, and I was a bit worried that I might have too much energy for this quieter man. We spent the next two weeks facetiming almost every day, getting to know each other from a distance. Michael later told me he loved how genuine and goofy I was. Time only proved that we balanced each other out perfectly. Everything was so natural and the rest is history!:)

Erin and I planned a trip with our significant others to visit Annelise on Oahu. The girls know that I am NOT a morning person, especially after a long day of travel, but I somehow agreed with the plan to catch the sunrise before a hike. I was half awake and super clueless during the ride to Secret Beach, Kailua. The beach was located on a military base and was completely empty. It was gorgeous. We walked out onto the sand and I was drawn to the beautiful view towards the left. Michael kept asking me to walk towards the houses, but I was enjoying the spot I chose. Of course, I was unaware that he had rocks laid out in the shape of a heart. Woops! Michael eventually gave up and joined me. He was his usual self, saying sweet and loving things to me while holding me and at some point said "Will you marry me?" I immediately and very casually said something along the lines of, "Yeah, babe of course. We've talked about this already...we'll get married someday!" CLUELESS. Then he got on one knee and I was in COMPLETE shock. I started blubbering/crying as I finally realized what was happening. My exact response was a high pitched "OMG, A billion times yes!" followed by some swear words from shock, and we were engaged :)

When I met Michael he was living on base at Camp Pendleton in San Clemente, CA finishing up his time in the Marine Corps. I was living in Santa Ana, CA and completing my last clinical rotation for my Masters program. We knew that some big changes were to come for the both of us. Michael and I mutually decided that it would be best to follow through with our own personal plans for our futures. In January of 2019, Michael moved to Bend, Oregon to start flight school to become a pilot and I moved north to the valley (past Los Angeles) to start my career as an Occupational Therapist at a trauma hospital. We have been in a long distance relationship since. It's amazing because somehow, it's been easy. We both have always said that communication is our strength and we've been fortunate enough to see each other every two to four weeks. Thankfully the long distance relationship will be ending in May of 2021, couple months before we get married (FINALLY). We plan to move to Bend, Oregon to settle down some time after the wedding and are SO excited to begin the rest of our lives together in the same place:) We cannot wait to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you in Mount Hood!