It all began in the fall of 2009. As most men do, my best friend and best man, Jonny Gelnett, and I found ourselves talking about our lady troubles during class one day. He said, "listen, I know this great girl that is going through some relationship troubles herself. I think you two should at least meet each other". Kayla and Jonny have known each other since elementary school, so I agreed to meet her thinking "I really have nothing to lose". One day, she showed up with one of her high school friends to the gymnasium in between classes; at which point, Jonny and I had just finished our serious iron-pumping session in the high school's weight room. As I'm walking up the steps to the gymnasium, I open the door and I see Kayla and her friend. *Cue the doves, the glistening light, and the nerves* I see this very cute girl in her cheerleading t-shirt, dark blue jeans, and her hair pulled up with a bow of our school colors in the fancy way cheerleaders do their hair. Jonny introduces us, and of course, as a young buck, my first instinct is to say, "Hey! Wanna see me do some pull-ups?" As I'm doing pull-ups, I hear, "Ooh wow, look at those back muscles." Now I know I'm making a good impression. I jump down, and we talk a little more as our friends say goodbye and go their own ways. Kayla said to me, "You're my new best friend!" We exchanged numbers, hugged goodbye, and went our own ways. Little did I know, my "nothing to lose" would eventually become my "everything to lose". I would go on to ask her out August 1st, 2010. Here are some interesting couple facts, Couple Quote: FE&EB (For Ever & Ever Babe) First Date: Movie date "The Other Guys" Favorite Restaurant: The Cheesecake Factory High School(s): Cedar Cliff HS Best Memory Together: NFL game (Ravens vs Texans)

Now for the lady's point of view, since not many people get to hear this side of the proposal story. Fast forward seven years to the fall of 2016, Brandom and I flew to California for a conference he was attending. It was our first time in California together. I was so happy, but little did I know what was coming next. On our last morning in Anaheim, Brandom came into the room and said, "There's an Uber outside waiting. Let's go!" I tried to get him to tell me where we were going, but even the Uber driver had her GPS hidden from my sight (I'm sure this was Brandom's idea). The car finally parked at a pier in Newport Beach, and we got out. We were walking along the beach and taking pictures, but Brandom disappeared from my side. I turned around and there he was, down on one knee looking up at me. *Cue the tears (because we all know I'm the emotional one)* He pulled out a little black box from his pocket, and showed me this beautiful ring. My nerves blocked out my hearing and breathing, all I could do was shout "Yes!"