We're Getting Married!

Anyone who asks me how Graham and I met will hear me swear up and down that our paths crossed one year before our first date. I am 100% sure we briefly met at a sorority party in San Francisco. And I will stand by that forever. I know this because the first "real" time I saw Graham at a house party at UC Berkeley, I felt an immense sense of familiarity. Of course, this led to developing a massive crush. Graham's fraternity house was only a couple of blocks from my sorority house, and I often frequented Caffe Strada next door to him. This gave me plenty of chances to catch a glimpse of a tall, bearded, handsome man I had recognized walking between classes. My sorority sisters and I were friends with a lot of guys in his fraternity, so we would often find ourselves at their parties—giggling and observing from a distance but never daring to approach. One day, we were on our way to San Francisco again. The party theme was Greece vs. Grease and everyone was sporting leather jackets and togas. I was originally planning on continuing my giggling and observing, but then a very good friend (Jacqueline Boland I told you I would give you credit for this one day) did the horrifying thing of telling Graham that he should sit next to be on the very very very long bus ride. What started as shy glances and blushing quickly turned into laughter and the growing realization that there was something special about this guy. I didn’t leave his side for the rest of the party. The next day, I was determined. I insisted that he take me to coffee -- I was done looking on and giggling. I found a good one, and I was ready to go for it.

Alas, I do not remember the first time Eva and I met. This would not be surprising for anybody who knows me and my poor memory. Thankfully, whether it was through fate or at the hands of a few caring friends who saw our connection, Eva and I crossed paths again. It started as a normal night out; some friends and I were attending a party hosted by Eva’s sorority. We boarded the bus and I found myself chatting with the pretty girl next to me in the stylish leather jacket. I was hooked; the lengthy bus ride passed in a flash and we accompanied each other the whole night. The next morning, Eva invited me out for coffee. I was thrilled Eva wanted to see me again, but I was also nervous. We got along well last night, but I worried the connection would be gone. I wouldn’t let this insecurity stop me, however; I put on my best button-down tee and went to the date. I spotted her in line and we didn’t miss a beat. To my relief, the spark was still there. Talking to Eva was (and is) as easy and natural to me as drinking water, and we wasted no time getting to know each other. It was during this conversation that Eva learned I was a 19-year-old sophomore, and she was a 21-year-old senior. All credit to her for sticking with me after that. I don’t remember what we discussed or what coffee I ordered, but I remember how I felt. I was wonderstruck; I met this amazing woman a day ago (or so I thought), and I have loved every minute of the time we’ve spent together. And to my amazement, she seems to feel the same way. When we said goodbye, I knew deep down that she was special. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was in love.

I knew I was in love with Graham on a rainy winter evening during my senior year. Graduation was looming, and I had started planning my future, but I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Just a few months into dating seriously, I reflected on how seamlessly he fit into my world—how he charmed my entire wacky family during Christmas and how we spent hours wandering in the snow together on our trip to Lake Tahoe. His sense of adventure and optimism inspired me, and his ambition resonated deeply with mine. He was kind and genuinely respected my opinions, never dismissing my thoughts or dreams. He wanted to be better, not just for himself but for us, and while he never thought I needed to change, he always supported and encouraged me to grow. Even if my next steps took me far from the Bay Area, I was certain I wanted to keep my connection to him strong. So, in true dramatic fashion (because my love is nothing if not dramatic), I ran through the rain—it was only a few blocks, but it felt like a movie moment—knocked on his door, and told him I loved him. Just like always, he was the calm, patient endearment to my wilder, rollercoaster emotions. And Graham has been lovingly embracing my big feelings ever since.

Fast forward to 6 months into the relationship. Eva and I had been deepening our connection and loving our time together. In April 2018, Eva and I attended another date party on a ship in the Berkeley Marina hosted by Eva’s sorority. Before going out, we were sitting in a booth at Jupiter's with some friends of ours, and I was considering our relationship. I knew at that moment that I was in love with Eva. Unlike our initial connection, this knowledge did not strike like a lightning bolt. It felt more like I was remembering a fact I had known a long time, one that I had known since we first met. I leaned in and said softly “I love you”. She replied, “I love you too”. Rejoicing in our mutual love, we enjoyed a perfect evening and our love has blossomed ever since.

The year is 2022. After 5 years of dating and 2 years living together, Eva and Graham decided it was time to take the next step and get engaged. Eva’s mother generously passed down a stunning diamond originally owned by Eva’s great-great aunt, a wonderful and strong woman whose memory would only strengthen their union. After learning Eva’s taste in jewelry, Graham had a ring custom made with the heirloom as the centerpiece. From there, it was time to plan the big day. From the start, Eva’s strong distaste of surprises made it difficult to keep secrets surrounding the engagement plan. As a result, Eva had plenty of notice before the proposal. For thanksgiving that year, they visited Graham’s family in San Francisco, and during that trip, with our families so nearby, Graham planned to pop the question. That Friday, Eva and graham started their day with brunch in a cozy café: bagels, lox, and coffee. From there, they visited the Museum of Modern Art before heading across the bay to Berkeley. They arrived in the Berkeley Rose Garden, the scene of many dates in the early days of their relationship. In the golden afternoon light, among the late-blooming flowers, Graham dropped to one knee and asked Eva to share her life with him and Eva tearfully accepted. After a walk down memory lane through UC Berkeley campus, they arrived at a small winery filled with family and dear friends. They celebrated their love and commitment late into the night, and left the weekend more full of love than ever. And that’s what brings us here!