A saying we've told each other since we first started saying "I love you".. Here's our story.....
As all traditional couples do these days, we met on an app. But to keep our Jewish mothers happy, this app happened to be JSwipe. Lilli's profile talked about her two loves--fashion and memes. Something Joe had absolutely zero experience with. So he leaned into his only fashion experience, Juicy shorts, and she was hooked by Joe asking why those ever became popular. After a couple weeks of texting, it was time for a proper date. A date that Joe happened to be late to. Lilli accepted Joe's excuse of "LA traffic" and everything began to fall in place. The poor waiter had to come back 3 times because they were talking too much and hadn't even had a chance to look at the menu. Who would've guessed that a few Caesar salads would lead to marriage!
We officially became a couple in mid-November! After that, things seemed to fly by and we made our plans to go to San Diego (our favorite place to visit together...so far!) During the drive, Lilli was itching to say the words, but Joe was holding out until later that weekend. On Saturday night, we exchanged presents for our first Chanukah together. Lilli got Joe his favorite sunglasses ever (Ray Bans, still haven't lost em!) and Joe got Lilli an autographed poster of her favorite movie ever (Blazing Saddles, ask her to quote lines when you see her!). And then, out on the patio, looking over the Coronado Bridge, we told each other "I Love You" for the first time and it's been pouring out ever since!
A lot happened since that first date in July 2017. We'd traveled the world together (trips near--Catalina, Disneyland, Newport, Palm Desert, Coachella, San Diego; and trips far--San Francisco, Napa, Park City, Kauai, Fiji) and had huge changes in our lives (both personally and professionally). After all the life experiences so far, the time had come to start thinking about a life together and building a family of our own. On a weekend trip to San Diego to celebrate Lilli's 26th birthday, we stopped at a jewelry store window in La Jolla and looked at a ring that Lilli said was her dream. Joe took the hint and snapped some pictures to remind him when the time came. By the time January rolled around, Joe had already reached out to a close friend that has a jeweler business (shameless plug for Padis Jewelry!) and started to design what he hoped to be the perfect ring. It came on a Tuesday in the first week of March; the next day he was driving to Nate & Darlene's house to ask for their blessing; and by Saturday morning Joe and Lilli were on the first morning tram up to the Getty Center. Walking down to the rose garden, Lilli's favorite spot, Joe went down on one knee and popped the question. Lilli said yes and Th-th-th-tha-tha-tha-that's all, folks!