we're getting married!

Although we went to the same college (GO NOLES!) and had mutual friends, we did not meet until AFTER we graduated. Kaitlyn went to a happy hour after work and Alex was there with his roommate (one of Kaitlyn's coworkers). We met at the infamous Tarpon Bend (RIP) in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Kaitlyn wasn't looking for anything serious, but Alex was quite persistent and persuasive (he wrote this part LOL). He took her to his Aunt Ivone's house for Christmas a few months later to experience a Gilberti cappelletti (the food of the gods) and the rest is history.

Alex got a promotion with his job that would relocate us to California. After dating 3 years, we decided to pack up our cars and make a week long cross country road trip with our fur babies (yes, we drove cross country with two dogs and a cat). We spent our first year (the pandemic year doesn't count) in Downtown San Jose, but we spent every weekend in SF. We finally decided at the end of 2020 to make the move to San Francisco, bringing this story full circle. One of our first big trips together was a trip across California to San Francisco. Now we live in San Francisco. Soon to be married in San Francisco.

We're going to give you all the Cliff Notes version because otherwise we'll be here all day (Cliff Notes version of any story is difficult for all Gilberti's FYI). Alex surprised Kaitlyn with a trip to Big Sur at one of the most magical properties in the world, Post Ranch Inn. We spent the first day exploring the property and wrapping up the day to a beautiful dinner at the Sierra Mar. No proposal... like what? Who doesn't propose on the first day of a trip like this?! Then Alex proceeds to advise Kaitlyn they need to be up in the morning for falconry. Now Kaitlyn is starting to sweat! She could've sworn Alex was going to propose on this trip, but it's getting questionable. We got up early. We went to falconry (if you don't know what falconry is, google it LOL). After, we went to lunch at Nepenthe. We're enjoying our lunch and we see another couple that just got engaged. Alex sees this and proceeds to say "Oh, I hope you didn't think that I'm proposing this weekend." THE AUDACITY. At this point, all hope is lost for Kaitlyn. Later that evening, Alex takes an irritated Kaitlyn for a sunset walk. We're at the perfect lookout where there is a champagne cork and petals on the floor. The clear location of another engagement. Kaitlyn's suspicions are now rising again. Alex whispers sweet nothings into her ear. BANG, he forgot his wallet in the room and now we're walking back to get it before dinner. HOPELESS/hangry. Alex runs in to grab his wallet while Kaitlyn waits outside. He comes out frantically and says "come here, Kaitlyn! I think an animal got into our room, everything is a mess." Freaking out, she comes in to find a trail of petals in the balcony leading to a bottle of champagne and a note saying "Will you marry me?" Kaitlyn turns around and there he is - ring in hand, down on one knee. If it wasn't already obvious, she said "yes." All hope was not lost after all. FYI - Alex never forgot his wallet. He was setting up his phone to film the entire thing.