As told by Elizabeth Nicholas and I first hit it off around a fire pit at the University of Nevada, Reno where I was just starting my freshman year. As Nicholas was only there visiting friends, we parted ways after the weekend, exchanging numbers and wishing each other luck in life. From there, we could never quite break our undeniable connection and we stayed in close contact over the next few months. Although we were both nervous about the idea of a long-distance relationship, it had become very clear to us that we had found something wonderful in each other. So we embarked on a journey of countless miles, train rides, weekend visits, and video chat dinner dates. And after almost 8 years of patience, love, and incredible memory-making, Nicholas and I finally have forever together.

As told by Nicholas For months, I planned every detail: a perfect weekend getaway with the best dinner reservations, an awesome oceanfront hotel, and a private proposal on a quiet and picturesque Carmel beach. Of course, however, the day didn’t come without some obstacles. That Saturday morning ended up being a gray and gusty one, and that picturesque Carmel beach ended up anything but quiet (really the entire state of California was visiting that day). And despite my best efforts, Elizabeth had become a bit suspicious. But there was no way I could wait any longer. We drove for over an hour down the Pacific Coast Highway, trying to hunt down the sun and find a private spot. I was sweating, compulsively checking that the ring did not fall out of my pocket, anxiously searching for the right place and the right moment. Eventually, after having driven an hour out and an hour back and almost giving up hope, we finally found beautiful and deserted Garrapata Beach. Together, we wandered the sand, raced the tides around cliff-sides, and found caves and canyons along the way. And when we came to a secluded cove, the sun just starting to peak out from the clouds, I knew the moment had come. I got down on one knee and proposed to my best friend, the person I want to be with for the rest of my life. And I could barely even finish the question before Elizabeth, with tears of joy, answered “Yes!”