The year was 2012 and Rock City Studios was the place to be. Chet and Kaley were 15 years old and in the same history class in High School. Chet was the nerd who gave out answers and Kaley was the baddie across the room. They knew of each other and were acquaintances but their friendship wasn't solidified until an invite to Kaley's 16th birthday at Rock City Studios. The night was over as quickly as it started, just like their friendship. Or so it seemed. Fast forward to 2015, and now Outback is the hottest restaurant in town with the hiring of Kaley. Chet had been working there for a while and cemented himself as the restaurant bad boy. Kaley's first day working was one to be forgotten. She walked in recognized Chet and said hi. But Chet with his new-found confidence acted like they were first meeting. (DISCLAIMER: I didn't think she remembered me! I was a nerd, remember!) After that day, the two would grow closer with shared meals, late night talks in the back of the restaurant, and long nights of trainings. Here's to a relationship that bloomed like an onion!
What's the best thing about October? If you said Playoff Baseball you'd be right. However on this brisk October night, Dodger Stadium had a different type of anxious energy buzzing about. High in the left field stands was a couple on their first official date. It was mid October and the Dodgers were playing the Cubs in the 2016 NLCS. (Yes, we all know what happened.) Chet sat there palms sweaty from nerves, and nose bleeding from the height of the seats. Kaley sat there radiant, as if someone managed to catch the perfect summer day in a jar. The Dodgers ended up losing and went on to lose the series but that didn't matter, Chet had hit it out of the park. Kaley was drop dead gorgeous like a 12 to 6 Kershaw Curveball and this would be only the first of many Dodger game dates.
Date Night Friday. A tradition in the Hardy-Sahagun household to make sure the two made time for each other with their busy schedules. It's February 7th and Chet had bought the ring in November. That's a lot of Date Night Friday's to keep a secret. After weeks of planning and coordinating with his sister Morgan and Kaley's cousin, Efrain, the plan was in motion. Step 1: Build up a fake restaurant in Malibu all week to grow Kaley's excitement. Step 2: Leave 10 minutes late, potentially miss the sunset and still show up before Morgan is done. Step 3: Lead her to the spot now saying there's a picnic on a cliff in Malibu. Step 4: Lock eyes with a panicked Morgan and slow the walk down to not ruin the surprise. Unplanned Step 5: Run into an athlete that Chet coaches on the walk down to the engagement spot. Step 6: Get to the spot, get down on one knee and propose. Spoiler alert: There was no food at the proposal.