PHILIP: So Kaitlin actually doesn't remember the first time we met (apparently she was too awestruck) but I'm not one to forget a pretty face like that. The first time we met was on Loma Linda University campus when the were having a Police Fair. There were a bunch of helicopters landing and both of us curious students wondered over to see what all the fuss was about. After that we bumped into each other a few times here and there but our story really didn't start until our second year of medical school. During our second year we both were in the same Micro lab and we both had a habit of getting there early so naturally we started talking more. We started talking more at classes/labs and I remember being impressed how she was super cute and super smart, a rare combo even in medical school. Things finally escalated when I happened to go to a Saturday vespers at Maddy's house one Saturday, and little did I know that Kaitlin had told Maddy she liked me so as soon as she saw me there she texted Kaitlin to come. From what I hear Kaitlin dropped what she was doing and came to see me. At this vespers there was a movie going on but that didn't stop us from talking through the whole thing. From there I saw her the next day and the rest is history. KAITLIN: The first time I clearly remember meeting Philip was at the beginning of the second year of medical school. I had arrived way too early to our first microbiology lab of the year when another student, Philip, wandered in too. We immediately started talking about classes and the different strategies we would use to study. I remember thinking he was extremely cute, confident, and easy to talk to. So after that, I arrived early to the following labs, hoping to talk to him a little more. I told my friend Maddy that I had met a cute guy that I was kinda interested in, and to my surprise, a week later, Saturday morning, she texted me that Philip had unexpectedly arrived at her vespers and that I should come over. I quickly left my friend Kristen's house, where I was having breakfast, and rushed to her house. I remember feeling nervous, but after we started talking, we just kept talking for hours. From that day on, we saw each other every day, and I now can't imagine my life without him by my side.

PHILIP: From early on in our relationship Kaitlin always said I wouldn't be able to surprise her with my proposal, so naturally I knew I had to do just that. When planning what the day would look like I realized the best way to do this would be to make Kaitlin think she had planned it. She had been texting my sister trying to organize a hike in Santa Monica for several weeks, but what Kaitlin didn't know I was also texting my sister and trying to turn this hike into something so much more. My plan was to start the hike my sister, but as we got near to the top have them back off and then find a nice spot to pop the question. Thankfully I also been texting my best friend/man Joseph have him go on the hike ahead of us to find a good spot and set things up. I remember getting to my sister's apartment and feeling excited as I could feel the moment creeping closer. We met with my sister and her boyfriend and the hike started off pretty normally. As we started to climb we had a beautiful view of Santa Monica and I knew I had picked the right place. I had been texting Joseph that morning and knew he was able to make it up and was able to find a nice little spot of the trail to set things up. As the hike continued the time finally came and I gave my sister the signal to back off. A bit confused, Kaitlin continued with me as we walked down the side trail. I started the usual speech about how much she meant to me and how serious I was about our relationship when she got a quick glance of Joseph. While she claims she was already getting suspicions by now she knew what was about to go down. As we continued to walk I could see her getting jittery and excited. We walked up to a lookout point under a tree where there conveniently was a blanket and a vase of pink roses (her favorite) just sitting there, and since I am a man of opportunity I took this moment to ask her to be mine. And the rest is history. KAITLIN: I, unfortunately, did not suspect a thing the morning of the proposal. We had been trying to get together with Stephanie, Philip's sister, for a while and we were finally headed to LA for a hike. I had jokingly patted Philip's pockets for a ring as we got in the car but did not actually think it would happen. On the drive to LA, I remember him being a little quiet, but nothing too out of the normal. The hike was beautiful, and I was having a great time, and as we got to the top, Philip started to pull away. I was confused, not wanting to leave Stephanie behind, but he persistently pulled me to a side trail. He started telling me how much I meant to him and some of our shared memories, and I suddenly felt a swell of love, excitement, and nerves as I realized what might be happening. When I spotted Joseph for a second and the beautiful setup, it was confirmed that it was really happening. Seeing Philip down on one knee is a moment I'll never forget, and I'm so grateful and happy that I get to spend the rest of my life with him.