After moving to Walnut Creek in 2016, Ariel spent many months trying out different gyms until she found the best one. After too many free trials, it was time to sign up. As luck would have it, Ariel chose to join the 24 Hour Fitness Walnut Creek Super Sport where Kayla was the Sales Manager at the time. Kayla signed Ariel up for the gym and they spent the next 1.5 years watching each other from afar. Fast forward to May 2017, Kayla and Ariel ran into each other at a sports bar (Masses for all you Walnut Creekers!) and instantly connected. Kayla slid into Ariel's FB messengers DM's and the rest is history! While we technically met on Mar 2, 2016, we didn't start officially dating until Dec 2, 2017. If you ask Kayla, she'll say we've been together for 7 years, but Ariel will claim 6. Good thing we have a new date that we can both agree on! ;)

For those of you who know us well, you know that for many years Ariel said that she never wanted to get married. Kayla grew to accept that but always said that if/when Ariel ever wanted to get married, she would let Ariel propose. Right after our 5 year anniversary, we took a 2.5 week trip to Southeast Asia. With just our backpacking backpacks and fanny packs, we were very intentional about not packing any excess items...after spending 10 days hopping between Singapore, Phuket, and Phi Phi, the couple made it to Krabi, Thailand. During our second to last night in Krabi, we booked a fancy dinner at The Grotto restaurant which was right on the sands of Phranang Beach, one of the most iconic and scenic Thai beaches. Having been a little bit early to dinner, Kayla was very insistent that they go on a walk on the beach while they waited, but Ariel wasn't having it. After the third time asking, Ariel noticed that Kayla started fidgeting. And then a bottle of champagne and a beautiful handmade, all-white flower crown got sent to our table from our wonderful concierge, Khun Luna. And in that moment between the 3rd and 4th time of Kayla asking to go on a beach walk, Ariel had a gut feeling that Kayla was up to something....and voila! A pre-dinner stroll on the beach led to the most beautiful proposal from Kayla to Ariel and a round of applause from the whole beach when we walked back. Ariel didn't suspect anything the whole time, even leading up to the big day. However, looking back, Kayla had some uncharacteristic moments of panic throughout the trip...refusing to get on our speed boat until she saw our bags on the boat, panicking when our rooms didn't have a safe, and very persistently asking Ariel to go on a pre-dinner beach walk even though Ariel was overheating and being stubborn. All that said, Ariel could not have dreamed up a better proposal and fell even more in love with Kayla for knowing her better than she knew herself. We're so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you in Carmel!