We're getting married!

John and Isabel met at Rice University, where they were in the same dorm (Duncan College), same year, and shared several mutual friends—but somehow, they didn’t truly cross paths for years. Funny enough, there’s even a photo from freshman orientation where Isabel is posing with her mom and the university president’s wife, and John is casually in the background, completely unaware. Their first “meeting” was probably a quick moment at the gym in sophomore year through a mutual friend, but it wasn’t until junior year—when they ended up in the same suite with four friends—that they finally connected. John had taken a gap semester and didn’t move in until the first few days of spring semester in January 2019. One of Isabel’s first clear memories was John arriving late at night, coming from Hong Kong, and she came out of her room, half-asleep in an oversized T-shirt, to say a quick hello. Shortly after, in February, John asked Isabel out on their first date - grabbing boba of course.

John proposed to Isabel in Magnolia, Seattle, on a grassy cliffside overlooking Elliott Bay. He had been planning the proposal for nearly a year, secretly coordinating with their closest friends and asking their Seattle crew to help scout locations around the city. To set the stage, John arranged a “picnic” in Magnolia, asking their friends to bring sandwiches while he and Isabel would meet them there. But when they arrived at the parking lot with no clear directions or friend in sight, Isabel grew a little suspicious. As John led her on a walk, they came upon a beautiful viewpoint decorated with a floral arch, photos from their college days, and a “Marry Me” sign. Isabel spotted a photographer hidden in the bushes—just as John got down on one knee and proposed. Moments later, several friends (and Isabel’s cousin Ashley, who had flown in for the surprise) popped out of the bushes to celebrate. With champagne, hugs, and lots of photos, it was a joyful and unforgettable moment.