We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Ben & Gabrielle met at In & Out in Fall 2019. Ben asked Gabrielle if she was in high school. Unfortunately, he thought she was 16... Months later they were on a team together that traveled across California doing Gospel presentations, worship, & ministry nights. They quickly become friends. Gabrielle was drawn to his peaceful yet strong leadership, the face that he was never stressed, never offended, he loved life & loved Jesus, & he made her laugh all the time. Ben was drawn to her gift of encouragement, zeal for the Gospel & her smile. He sat by her every chance he got. After tour, Ben asked Gabrielle to be his girlfriend on her 22nd birthday on April 12, 2020. They quickly become best friends & fell in love. 6 hour phone conversations, 6 hour dates, & meeting each others families within the first few months. Up and downs, tears and disagreements all part of dating. Ben knew he wanted to marry Gabrielle 3 months in. 8 months of dating drew closer & Gabrielle started dropping major hints that she wanted to marry him too. Is drawing a fake ring on your finger too much? (asking for a friend)

After weeks of Ben convincing Gabrielle that the engagement wasn't happening until the next year, she finally had no hope of it happening soon. Ben had been planning for weeks to surprise her. Gabrielle thought he was hanging out with friends but they were actually ring shopping & talking to Gabrielle's grandparents. Ben planned a full day of fake meetings to throw her off. Getting engaged was not on her mind. Gabrielle's friends convinced her to get her nails done & she wanted to get "mourning nails" (as a joke cause she thought she wasn't getting engaged). Her best-friend simply said "black nails are not cute" & basically forced Gabrielle to get pink. Still having no idea, Gabrielle continued to have a full day. Her cousin, Chandler, had been planning with Ben & asked me to get dressed up cause she was having a bad day and she always feels better dressed up. Chandler had pretended to be going through a lot & as we approached the beach Chandler saw Ben on the rock with flowers waiting for Gabrielle & she started crying. Gabrielle did not see & thought she was experiencing God & continued to attentively talk to her. As they got closer, Chandler had to tell Gabrielle to look up! When Gabrielle saw Ben her heart sank & she ran to Ben. Ben & Gabrielle were both crying as Ben went down on one knee & asked Gabrielle to marry him. With tears in her eyes, she said YES! They celebrated with family & friends the rest of the night & were overwhelmed with love. Ben proposed on December 10th, 2020. (Gabrielle's dad's birthday!)