1,668 days in the making. Party accordingly.

We met at the most romantic location one can imagine... our workplace! As luck would have it, we were selected to sit next to one another during an office move. While we didn’t start dating until a few years later, we became fast friends, bonding over our love of coffee, craft beers and the outdoors. One Friday night, sipping drinks on the Hermosa Beach Pier, we both agreed that our next relationship would be all or nothing. Needless to say, we were all in... together!

Chris proposed during a ski trip to Lake Tahoe. Upon our arrival, we ventured to the beach to watch the sunset. After admiring the crystal clear water and gorgeous mountain views, Chris suggested I hop on his back for a photo op and when I did, he unzipped his vest, revealing a shirt that read, "Marry Me!" Our friends Rachel and Nick snapped some photos of a beaming Chris and an oblivious Lindsay. I hopped off his back and he pulled out the ring and got down on one knee. We both started crying. Unstoppable, ugly crying. Chris was so calm leading up to that moment that I was genuinely surprised. When he asked, my answer was a resounding, "OF COURSE!" Rachel and Nick popped some champagne and we celebrated together with dinner and drinks! Lake Tahoe holds a lot of fond memories for Chris and is now an unforgettable destination for Lindsay as well.

I knew Lindsay was “the one” long before we started dating. I instantly fell in love with her big brown eyes, compassion for others and for animals, and her taste in memes. She is determined and she encourages me to be a better partner and all around person. Throughout our relationship she has helped me become more self aware and to slow down and appreciate the world around me (that last part is still a work in progress). Lindsay is the love of my life. She is the strongest woman I know and I find myself in awe of her constantly. I cannot wait to say “I do” and spend the rest of my life with her.

I don’t know how it’s possible, but Chris seems to do everything with such ease; playing sports, multitasking, building furniture from scratch, offering advice–you name it, he can do it and he’ll give 110% while doing so. Not only are we similar in many ways, but his laid-back west coast style has helped soften my impatient and feisty east coast personality. He treats me like his equal while simultaneously making me feel like the most special person in the universe. And it’s not just me he treats this way. He’s the protector and biggest supporter of his family and friends too. He brought me out of my shell and encourages me no matter what. I could never have imagined that I'd move across the country and fall head over heels for a cute guy from southern California, but it's a reminder that anything is possible, and for that reason, I can't wait to see how our future unfolds together.