Our Big Day

Ariel and Mark met in the Mojave Desert in a field geology class at Chico State. Mark was quick to lend Ariel his books and answer any questions regarding class assignments. The next semester, they both went on a class trip to Hawaii to learn about volcanos where Ariel asked Mark on a date to her sorority dance. Mark swept her off her feet ever since!

Ariel and Mark planned a trip to Arcata in Humboldt County to meet some friends at a beer festival. They arrived early to visit some of their favorite places to go from when they lived there. Mark made sure they had time to take a walk in the Arcata Community Forrest, which is full of large redwood trees and forest ferns. As they were walking on the trail, Mark stopped Ariel in a spot where the sun was shining through the trees. Ariel asked Mark why he was acting so weird as he began to describe how happy he has been with Ariel. However, Ariel was concerned by a bug flying close to Mark's face and swatted at it. She missed the bug, but successfully knocked Mark's sunglasses off his head to the ground which caused both lenses to pop out! Mark bent down on his knee to fix his glasses (convenient twist for him). Ariel still had no idea he was also reaching into his pocket at this time. Mark then turned toward Ariel on one knee with the ring and asked if she would marry him! Ariel had one question before she said yes: "Is this real life?!"