I convinced my cousins, Tiare and Aulii, and sister-in-law, Shy, to do a last-minute trip to go to the Russ concert in Honolulu. 💃🏽GIRLS ONLY💃🏽 To my surprise, they agreed! Well, after an incredible concert I found out that Nesian Nine was playing at this random bar out in Aiea (and if you don’t know my girls are always down.) Late night, drinks, fun, laughter, oh and our first all-nighter together. We had no plans to sleep then catch the first flight out the next morning and well the story goes on… Let’s just say it was a great time! One of those nights that you have with your crew that you never can forget and one that is hard to top. Now let’s get back to the story of how Antonio and I met. After the concert the four of us girls go to “CHEZ” bar and grill and lo and behold Nesian Nine was already on stage along with Ilona Irvine. Of course, another one of my old-time favs. We immediately get a few drinks, a table and Aulii and I hit the dance floor. If you’ve ever been there then you would know that they have TVs set up around the entire bar with a live feed of the dance floor☺️. You should know I was never the type of person who’d go around talking to just anyone let alone I was out to have a good time with some of my favorite people and not searching for anything or anyone. Well, that night I noticed Antonio sitting at a table right in front of the dance floor. As Aulli and I were dancing and just about ready to get off along came Antonio. Normally I’d give him the cold shoulder and move about my way, but something told me to stop and listen. Antonio came right up to me and asked for a dance. I know I was probably the only one with the biggest smile in that bar but at the same time I had a million things running through my head. (Do I be mean and walk away without saying anything? And also telling myself not to be to freaked out excited.) At the same time I looked at my cousin Aulii as she walked away from me and all I could remember her saying was “just do it Ana’s!”☺️ Little did he know I loved to dance and was so happy he made the first move. We danced the night away and had a great time. Because we were pulling an all-nighter, we talked until the sun came up and got to know each other more. For more details on that night, catch up with one of my girls who were there to get the low down on how it went. Or feel free to ask one of us:) But clearly, since that night we have been inseparable. About a week or so later we texted, FaceTimed and called each other every chance we got. On Thanksgiving we were talking and he asked if was ok for him to fly down for a date. Me not taking him seriously I was like ok cool. Because who in their right mind would fly to another island to see someone again. I didn’t think he was serious at all but he booked a flight and came for a visit… He is definitely my best friend and my soulmate.

👴🏽👵🏽 As most of you know, Antonio travels frequently for work, and on this particular day—his 33rd birthday—he was in Arizona on a work trip. Every year when a birthday rolls around, we try to make it fun and special. After asking him multiple times how he wanted to celebrate, he randomly came to me and said he wanted an Old People–themed party. “We all dress as old people!” There I was at home, trying to figure out how I was going to pull this off last minute. Most of his friends live on a different island (Oʻahu), and although I’m usually a last-minute person, I still hate being that person. ☺️ But in true Liana fashion, I made an animated invitation and started sending it out via text. Antonio returned the day before the party, and somehow, within just ten days, I had sent out the invites, gotten commitments, and convinced everyone to fully dress up and show up on January 25, 2025, in ʻŌʻōkala. My original plan was simple—I was going to borrow a dress from my Grandma Puahala, put my hair in a bun, and call it a night. But Antonio definitely had other plans. While he was in Arizona, he managed to get outfits for both of us. And being the good sport that I am, I dressed up and went with the flow. Although many of his friends couldn’t attend on such short notice, a lot of our family came out, which made the night even more special. As the evening went on, I didn’t notice anything unusual about Antonio at all. Everyone was intrigued and unaware of what was about to happen. Looking back now, I realized he kept misplacing his drink the entire time—but at the moment, nothing seemed off. We were all gathered outside under the tent, dressed as elderly people, enjoying each other’s company. When it was time to bless our dinner, Antonio decided he wanted to say a few words. I remember thinking it was a little odd for a second, but since it was his birthday, I didn’t think much of it and let him speak. He started by thanking everyone for being there, then thanked me for putting the celebration together… and after that, everything became a blur. All I remember is him dropping down on one knee—and I was in complete shock. For a really good moment, I couldn’t even process what was happening. We have always joked about marriage and in the back of my mind it wasn’t ever in the cards for me. I never imagined myself being that girl—the one who gets engaged, who gets married, or even dreams of a wedding of her own. But somehow, in the most unexpected and perfectly us way, that night changed everything. Ironically, by planning his birthday party down to the details, I had unknowingly planned my own proposal too. From dressing like old people to promising forever, we can’t wait to start this next chapter together on April 25, 2026. 🎶All I wanna do is grow old with you🎶