I started working at Crevier BMW as a barista at the cafe; George was a mechanic. At the end of my first day as I went to take out the trash, George noticed and walked straight up to me to introduce himself. It was brief but memorable. We were both in different places in our lives to think anything of that first “hello” but we both never forgot it. Our friendship lasted 8 years of brief checking in’s especially after I quit working there. I happened to do some major self care one day that included a major hair cut and color. My curly, red, long hair dramatically became a short blond bob- a look that caught his eye. He saw my picture and we struck up a conversation until finally he asked “Would you like to grab a drink with me as friends?” We met up for sushi and drinks but the moment I walked through the door and saw him sitting there, butterflies swarmed my stomach- a feeling I now know was mutual. We stayed until closing and by the end of the night, we both knew it was a date that ended as more than friends, even with the most immaculate kiss!

The day George proposed to me, he told me he was taking me out to dinner for date night at The Gulf Stream. I noticed too late that we were going in the wrong direction until we pulled up to the boating docks in Newport. He yelled “surprise!!!” I said “oooookay??” George is not one for romantic planning so naturally I accepted the idea that we were going to watch the sunset on the beach AND THATS IT. But nope! To my surprise, this hopeless romantic walked me down the dock covered in red rose petals that lead to a gondola. Then, the gondolier presented us with a candle lite dinner, wine, desserts all while still surrounded by red rose petals. While enjoying the water, the night, and romantic song one gondolier sang, a glass bottle floated alongside us. George leaned over to grab it-Inside, a note! He gave it to me to open and it read "My Sasha, i love you with all my heart. Will you Marry me?". I looked up and he had already kneeled on one knee and presented me with the most beautiful ring! Of course i cried and of course i said "Yes!".