We actually did meet volunteering at the Brentwood Farmers Market, but almost didn't. CJ was filling in last minute for someone who cancelled. Katie claims she was on the verge of cancelling herself. But thankfully we both showed up to help collect excess fresh produce from farmers for the non-profit Food Forward. As we were volunteering in a team over a two hour period, there were plenty of opportunities to talk and get to know each other. Within minutes of talking to her, CJ realized he needed to come up with a plan to spend more time with Katie. With the help of his friend Kyle, CJ pitched the volunteer group on going to the bar Qs in Brentwood for a post-volunteering drink as if it were a regular thing that happened after these volunteer shifts (it was not). Despite there being more takers from the volunteer team than CJ hoped, Katie was convinced to join and they agreed to go on a formal date later that week!

CJ planned to propose to Katie in front of a hot air balloon in San Diego, a callback to one of our most memorable early dates. Everything was set up and ready, and, thanks to our friends Mallory and Elissa, Katie was prepared for it (nice outfit, nails done, etc.) without even expecting it, as she believed she was in San Diego for a girls trip with her friends. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans! A freak rainstorm prevented a flight that date and CJ was forced to improvise. After another rained-out attempt at a proposal plan, CJ was able to set up a table with flowers and a charcuterie at Estancia in La Jolla next to the hotel's wishing tree. Katie was brought to the hotel thinking she was meeting another friend for dinner when she found CJ, ring in hand and on bended knee!