On a Friday night approximately three months after dating, Ivan and Alex decided to order Thai takeout and watch "The Theory of Everything." Every scene depicting the inspirational love between Stephen and Jane Hawking strengthened Alex's internal belief that she had fallen in love with Ivan. Mid-film, Alex finally summoned the courage to whisper "I love you" to Ivan. No response came so Alex pretended she did not say it. To Alex's surprise, Ivan said "I love you" the following day. When Alex questioned Ivan about whether he had heard her say it during the film the previous night, Ivan was caught by surprise because he actually had not heard Alex's whisper. Yet, they both felt the exact same at the exact time. It was insane to them that they both professed each other's love within 24 hours without Ivan knowing that Alex had said it first. The rest? Well...it's history. And "The Theory of Everything" will forever be one of Alex's favorite movies.

On February 19, 2022, Ivan and Alex drove up the coast to Santa Barbara where they would enjoy the weekend with their friends, Ellie and Ryan. Ivan had elicited Ellie and Ryan's help to propose on that trip, although the trip would be masked as a weekend to celebrate Alex's birthday month. After spending the day visiting Ellie and Alex's old stomping grounds at UCSB, Ivan and Alex head to their suite at the Ritz Carlton in Santa Barbara to get ready for Ellie's "surprise birthday dinner" for Alex. At around 5:15 pm, Ivan frantically began getting ready and kept nudging Alex to do the same. Alex thought nothing of it. At around 6 p.m., Ellie and Ryan came to pick up Alex and Ivan. Ellie insisted that they all head to the cliffside of the resort to take photos before heading out to dinner. Although Alex was still getting ready, Ellie insisted that Alex hurry as to not miss out on the "golden hour." Again, Alex thought nothing of it. After what must've been a torturous 15 minutes for everyone in on the plan (except Alex), the group finally made it to the cliffside for a beautiful pink and orange sunset over the ocean. Ellie insisted that Alex and Ivan take photos in front of the ocean and sunset. While Ellie was taking what Alex assumed to be photos, Ellie was actually taking a video, ready to capture the big moment. After a few "photos," Alex began turning away from Ivan, and just like that... Ivan was down on one knee. Alex immediately experienced tunnel vision. Till this day she remembers nothing about what was going on around her. All she remembers is Ivan's face glowing from the sunset, and her heart racing. She didn't even see the ring. All she wanted to do was hug and kiss Ivan, which she did. And just like that, "Of course I'll marry you" became the easiest words that Alex had ever spoken... A huge thank you to Ellie Krylova and Ryan Guidry for being part of a day that Alex and Ivan will remember for the rest of their lives. We are truly blessed to have you both in our lives.