In August 2015, Josh was attending Monterey Peninsula College, living in Pacific Grove, and Erika had just transferred to CSU Monterey Bay to start her junior year. Newly settled in the area, Erika and her new roommates joined some friends for a game of beach volleyball in Carmel-by-the-Sea where she and Josh first met! They spent the afternoon playing various games of volleyball, laughing, and soaking up the sun, but their paths didn’t part for long. That evening, fate intervened once again when they ran into each other at Cannery Row Brewing Company in Monterey where Josh was working as a server, and Erika had just started as a hostess! Over the next several months, they grew closer, bonding over their shared May 5th birthday, late-night laughs during work shifts, many more beach volleyball games, unforgettable college experiences, and countless hikes through the breathtaking trails of Big Sur and Monterey. Their growing connection eventually led to a special date at Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Following this date is when Josh made it official, asking Erika to be his girlfriend on April 1, 2016! Since then, life has been an incredible journey, with each chapter bringing new adventures! They shared unforgettable moments in Monterey before moving to Huntington Beach, where they lived for four years. Evenings were spent on sunset bike rides along the coast, and their love for travel took them to new cities, states, and countries together. Eventually, they made the big move back to Erika’s hometown of Fresno, a true act of love on Josh’s part! Their journey wouldn’t be complete without recognizing the adoption of their beloved cats, Suki and Raya, into their lives. Along the way, they’ve built a life filled with endless inside jokes, spontaneous adventures, and memories they’ll cherish forever. Fast forward to more than nine years later, and Josh brought Erika back to the very beach where they first met! But this time he had a ring, and with the ocean waves crashing behind them, he got down on one knee, and Erika said yes! Now, here they are ready to commit to a lifetime together!!