Kyle and Asia met at UC Davis in January of 2017. For two and a half years, Asia had been planning on taking EVE 180 in her junior year, the class she was most excited for in all of undergrad. Kyle, on the other hand, decided just days before classes started to switch from “Intro to Virology”to EVE 180. And so, their fates were sealed. It was in this class that the two of them first met. Over the two-quarter-long 16-person class, Asia and Kyle spent a lot of time together, but mostly in the company of other classmates. They got along well, and finally they gathered the courage to go out for ice cream: just the two of them. Kyle was uncertain as to whether or not it was a date, but when Asia showed up with her hair curled, all doubts were cast aside. They couldn’t stop talking with one another: learning about each other’s lives, discussing philosophy, and chatting about their interests, their words passing into the magical night. Fueled by late-night tater tots and the occasional episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, they stayed up late. Soon it was 6am, and they had been chatting for nearly 10 hours. Asia had a meeting in 2 hours, so they had to call it there. However, as they parted ways that early morning, they knew this was the start of something extraordinary. After college, they moved back home for a few months while looking for work. Eventually, Asia landed a job in Nevada City and Kyle got one in West Sacramento. Kyle joined Asia as she toured housing options in Nevada city, all the while thinking about how much he didn’t want to live away from her. They talked and finally decided: rather than living apart, they would split the distance and move in together in Auburn. Their long commutes were worth it. That decision solidified their path: they would not be separated. Since then, they’ve moved more times than they can recall, all while building a life of their own with their adorable cats Ika and Ryeli. They’ve traveled to Costa Rica, Europe, and Australia, and they’re always looking forward to the next adventure. They cherish this life together, and cannot wait to continue it as a married couple, driving into the future as one. There’s so much to enjoy in this life, and doing it all with your best friend makes life so much better.

Kyle and Asia first talked about marriage in 2020. Asia noted the special conversation in her notebook. For many years, they envisioned a long life together, but the time never felt right for a proposal. Finally, in 2023, Kyle realized it was time and started planning. He spent nearly six months deliberating on rings, finally working with a bespoke jeweler to customize a ring for Asia. For their 7th anniversary, they made arrangements to stay in Santa Cruz, CA. In preparation, Kyle purchased a phone tripod, insisting, “we don’t have enough photos of ourselves on our travels”. To throw Asia off the scent, the whole trip Kyle was incessantly stopping to set up the tripod and take a selfie. At first Asia was annoyed, but eventually she found the fun in it (only after Kyle reined it in a little). On the day of their 7th anniversary, they decided to visit Natural Bridges State Park. Kyle dressed up and suggested Asia do the same (his heart beating frantically, not realizing Asia was already suspicious). They walked along the seaside rocks, peeking into tide pools, explored the wetlands, and navigated mud and wet sand. Eventually, they stopped to appreciate the view at the top of a cliff and Kyle suggested they take a photo of themselves. When he got down on one knee and pulled out the ring box, Asia exclaimed “So you do have a ring!” Kyle expressed his love and desire for a continued life together, and the two embraced. After they sat in the moment for long enough, they returned to the car and went out for ice cream.