Christian and I met during our Sophomore year while attending Vanguard University. We were both involved in student government, Christian as a Marketing Director and me a Program Director. It was the winter retreat in Oceanside that brought our initial introduction when I sat in an empty seat next to Christian during an intense game of Mafia (a game of deceit, murder, and violent quarrels: the perfect context for love). As we began to work together throughout that Spring semester, our friendship grew. I made any excuse I could to be in the office when he was, and he made sure that he was the Marketing Director assigned to all of my events. As our friendship grew and blossomed over the four-month semester, there was an obvious "unspoken something" between us (just call us Peter and Gamora *hehe*). It was a sad goodbye as we went our separate ways for the Summer, but we maintained our friendship and finally went on our very first date in August upon our return back to school. *Yayyy*

Christian could not have picked a more obvious day to propose. Yet, I was still somehow completely clueless. (No, I'm not oblivious...) Although I had some minor suspicions leading up to the blessed week, I threw them all out the window once it came. With the hustle and bustle surrounding graduation, hosting our families, and Christian moving into a new apartment, I convinced myself that there was no way he could toss a proposal into the mix. When D-day came, a ring was the last thing on my mind. It was the day before our graduation ceremony, and we had a parents-meet-the-other-parents lunch planned before our Baccalaureate service that evening. Our lunch was conveniently located on Balboa Island, and my dad suggested that we walk around the beach beforehand. When we were approaching the sand, I noticed some signposts lining a path toward the water. As we got within reading distance I began to read the first sign. It said something like, "550 days since I knew I liked you." (I have a great memory...) I turned to my family, eyes huge, and remarked excitedly, "You guys! I think someone is getting engaged!" Yes, it still had not hit me that the lucky lady was indeed me. And it wasn't until my friend LeeAnn nudged me and strongly suggested that I continue reading the signs that it finally began to sink in. The expression on her face mixed with the puzzling realization that she was holding Christian's over-sized camera gave me the final tip-off I needed. Completely shocked, I continued walking down the sand, as Christian came into view in the distance. I almost forgot to stop and read the rest of the signs, which led up to the final sign reading, "Just one more moment until I take a knee." Behind it lay a blanket on the sand with letters spelling out "Will you marry me?" I could tell Christian was nervous as he stumbled over a few adorable words and finally bent one knee, pulled out a black ring box, and said.... Well, you know the rest. I said "YES!"