We're getting married!

"It was the first week of Essentials, a six-week course offered at Reality LA. I didn't know where I should be going (as usual), so I followed this tall guy who seemed very confident in the direction he was heading (also as usual). After weeks of arriving early to set up media equipment (and engage in witty banter), he asked me out. On a Wednesday evening in late October, we got ice cream, wandered through the Venice Canals, and ended up at the beach -- watching the waves crash into the shoreline. I knew he was the man for me when I learned that he not only shares an affinity for the finer things in life (e.g., dense theology books & strategy board games), but he also knows how to let loose and have a good time (e.g., pretending to be food critics at local fried chicken spots and busting out the most ridiculous moves on the dance floor). To all who brought us together, rooted for us along the way, and helped us plan our future -- thank you; we would not be here without you!!!"

"As Tiff said, we met at our church serving in leadership positions, leading our tables in discussion about the 'Essentials' of Christian Theology. We would set-up and tear-down the meeting space, and it was through those efforts where I met the other leaders, and that's when Tiff caught my attention. She had a positive spirit and was a great listener. Interested and involved in conversation. And simply had a kind & caring heart for people. Well it was enough to get my interest, especially when she dropped the fact that she had been to Wisconsin before - unusual for a California native. After attending church one Sunday, I asked her if "she would allow me to take her out on a date to get ice cream." We set the date and everything went according to plan. We got some delicious ice cream, walked over to the Venice Canals wandering about the neighborhood, and finally ended up at the beach. We sat in the sand under the night sky and watched the waves roll in, asking each other questions on our faith, our past, our future. To be honest, I didn't want the night to end. Now I'm going to let all the guys know my patented secret to a great first date - ice cream, then go for a walk somewhere - it takes the tension away because of how light-hearted ice cream is, while walking and talking just makes conversation flow much more casual. Okay, on with the ending... I remember immediately after, I called my older brother on my drive home and told him that I had a feeling like never before. I knew I was going to marry this woman."

"It was a Friday, early evening - I told her ahead of time that we were going to go on a hike near Pointe Vincente Lighthouse, which we had visited months before, then go to a "nicer" dinner afterwards. Now Tiff has an affinity toward lighthouses - the symbolism behind them, as be safe harbors that provides a guiding light - so I knew that this would be the perfect spot. I had scouted the area a week before and found that on the southern edge of Pelican Cove, you could see the silhouette of the lighthouse as the sun set over the Pacific ocean. It was the perfect spot for us. So we drove down, found a parking spot, and began to walk down to the rocky coastline. I had a backpack with supplies, and we made our way to the very end of the cove. We were alone (except for my friend in disguise, Brandon, who was sleuthing 100 yards away with a long range camera lens), and after having her spread out a blanket for us, I dug out the ring box from a pouch in my backpack. I had her facing the water, while I started my "monologue" about how much she meant to me - that every time she found me looking at her and I said that it was "nothing", that in fact it was "something". It was the thought that "I was going to marry this woman, in the right time and the right place." I asked her to marry me then, and after she said yes. After some more up-close photos, we enjoyed some Salt & Straw artisanal ice cream (keep cold in my backpack) while listening to songs that were meaningful to us early on in our relationship. We kept that proposal secret for the rest of the day, just for us, as we finished the evening at an outdoor restaurant in Santa Monica. That's how we started our life as an engaged couple."

"Yeah, Joe absolutely crushed it when he asked me to marry him. On a Friday afternoon in mid-August, Joe took me to The Lighthouse (because I absolutely ADORE lighthouses!!!) and asked me to wear something I felt cute in because we’d be going to dinner afterwards. Given my undying love of lighthouses and our recent ring shopping, I had a sneaking suspicion he might pop the question then. But, after calling my best friend from high school (shout out to Tamar), she assured me that she didn’t know anything. And so, all I was expecting was a lovely date at the lighthouse. When we got to the end of the cove, Joe said the sweetest, kindest, most encouraging things. I kept wanting to interrupt him with a hug, but he just kept going. And before I knew it, he was down on one knee. Joe assured me that I said yes (although I really can’t remember it). And then our photographer-friend, Brandon, popped out of nowhere and started taking our pictures. Just when I thought the surprises were over, Joe whipped out some speakers and we listened to our playlist. Then, he brought out a couple of pints of Salt and Straw. We re-lived our very first date, and dreamed of the hundreds and hundreds of ice cream dates we’ll go on for as long as we both shall live. At the restaurant, we were greeted with a bottle of champagne. In the next couple of days, we'd surprise our friends and family with the news. But for that night, the secret of our engagement was shared just between us."