a tale as old as time...

The San Diego sun dipped towards the Pacific Ocean, casting a warm glow on Emily's 26th birthday weekend. They were back in her hometown, a place brimming with shared memories and the perfect backdrop for the surprise Jordan had been planning. He'd gotten the blessing of Uncle Mike and her brothers, their smiles etching away some of his pre-proposal jitters. He has already been considered family for a long time, and they were ecstatic to see him prepare to make it official! As twilight painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, Jordan led Emily to the familiar backyard of her childhood homebase. Twinkle lights, strung with loving care cast a magical ambiance, and the majestic Black Mountain stood sentinel in the distance. The weather, as if on cue, was pure California perfection. Inside the house, Emily's unsuspecting family chatted away, blissfully unaware of what was unfolding outside. Except Emily’s oldest brother Chris, who was discreetly recording the whole scene from the living room window. Under the canopy of stars, beside the lovingly tended guava tree and pumpkin plants, Jordan dropped to one knee. The heartfelt words he spoke, a testament to their love and his hopes for a future together, brought tears to both sets of eyes. The moment was theirs alone, a private explosion of joy (shared only with Kuya Chris, the stealthy videographer). The rest of the family remained delightfully oblivious, their laughter and chatter a soundtrack to their perfect proposal. After they shared a sweet and sacred moment together, it was time to call, facetime, and share their engagement with the world! The aunties screamed and alerted the household, champagne flowed, and even more tears were shed. The following day, they celebrated with Kasi and Vince at Disneyland, giving a whole new meaning to “the happiest place on earth”.