I met Amy at UC Santa Cruz at the College 9/10 Common Area. I was rushing for Alpha Phi Omega and was getting to know some of the members at a networking event. In came Amy: wearing pajamas (FYI it was not bed time...), hair a mess, and eating a snack. Once we started talking we really connected when we realized we both enjoyed reading Eragon growing up. Her face lit up and was so animated as she spoke about her dream to have a pet dragon. We spent the rest of the evening getting to know one another and the rest, as they say, is history.

Covid has been one of the most stressful times in my life. Although I have been able to work from home, Steven had been working non-stop at the hospital. To give ourselves a little break, he invited me for a surprise trip to celebrate my birthday. We dressed up fancy so we could take Instagram-worthy pictures and were off. As we were traveling, I realized Steven was taking us to our favorite outdoor garden, 'The Huntington', in Pasadena. Once we got there, I insisted that we make our way around the entire garden and end at the Chinese Gardens, which are my favorite. Steven disagreed and told me we should go there first to beat the crowds. Once there we sat down on a bench and he gave me my 'birthday' gift: a photo album filled with pictures of our adventures. On the last page it had dated images of our past trips to the Huntington, with a blank spot left for 2020. Steven invited me to take a selfie so we could complete the photo album. However once in position he started fiddling with his suit pocket and I then realized he was trying to reach the ring. Unfortunately, in his nervousness to keep our hands empty for pictures, he had stuffed both of our phones and masks into that pocket, so the ring box refused to come out. Not wanting to spoil the surprise I patiently waited, and luckily after a bit of struggling (and sweating) Steven took out the ring and asked the question "Will you marry me..."