There was a distinct moment when I knew I would be with Lori forever. She and I were having dinner and she ordered a large steak. Even though I thought her eyes were bigger than her stomach, she said that her life motto was, "I never leave a steak unfinished." And that's when I knew. The month we started dating, I moved to San Francisco. I lived 50 miles away from Lori, but that didn't stop her from driving up to see me everyday after her job so we can hang out. She continued to laugh at all my jokes. Not just 10% or 60% of them, but 100% of them. Up to that point I never thought another person could possibly stand that mix of comedy from me, but she proved me wrong, and I in turn was instantly a fan of hers. Lori's mantra during our early years of dating was to "Give up who you are, for who you can become." And she impressed me by conquering her fears by skydiving and camping with me. That spirit lives on and I continually fall in love with her every day.

The first night I met Deo, I was at a friend's Christmas party, and I immediately thought, "Wow! He looks just like Ernie Reyes Jr.!" (my childhood celebrity crush). We talked for awhile and he learned that I was an art major. He then asked if I'd help out with an art project, I honestly didn't even realize it was just to get my digits. It was a few months before we really started talking regularly. The moment I realized, "Yup, this is the guy for me," was when Deo told me his favorite Disney princess was Belle, because she's the only one who reads. Now I can't wait to get home every day and spend time with Deo, whether it's going to go out to dinner, or go to the gym together, or doing nothing at all! I absolutely adore building memories with Deo and find romance in his small gestures: cuddling on the couch, holding my hand while we're shopping, or opening the car door for me. He's a gentleman through and through. I also remember an important conversation that happened two weeks into the relationship; we went to a Japanese festival, Nikkei Matsuri, and he solemnly turns to me and says, "You know we're getting married someday right?" Equally serious I replied, "Yeah, I know." ... "No, I'm serious." "Yeah, I know!" Eight years later, here we are!