Cherish the Day.

Loren had been living in New York, but wanting to relocate for several years. It took a pandemic for her to finally say farewell to the East Coast and return to the Left coast. An SD resident since 1996, BJ had just moved to his new home in La Mesa in the summer of 2020 with his best friend 🐶 Reggie. Loren decided to take a chance on Match. BJ had reached out to her right away, and on October 15, 2020, they had their first date. Since there were still restrictions in place, the first time they laid eyes on one another, they were masked. Being the gentleman that he is, BJ walked Loren to her car. Loren's unusually far choice of a parking spot might have been an indication to him of how directionally challenged she is 😅. Loren didn’t know exactly why, but something about BJ must’ve clicked—because when he asked when they could see each other again, she gave a few options… one of which was the very next day. BJ, not one to waste time, picked that. And in an unprecedented fashion, they found themselves on back-to-back dates. BJ suggested a hike, nearly locked himself out of his own garage in the process, and Loren had to borrow her dad’s Prius since hers was mid-repair under Mr. Yandoc’s care. After the hike, they grabbed food nearby. Loren had followed BJ to the restaurant and parked a reasonable distance away from the restaurant this time. After dinner, BJ walked her to her car, and it was right there and then they had their first kiss. Loren still remembers that moment—unexpected and electric. It could’ve been the perfect movie moment… if not for the group of teens in the next car blatantly watching like it was a Netflix premiere. Romance, interrupted. Eventually, the couple grew closer and closer, exchanging professions of love and agreeing Loren would move in. After asking Loren's parents for their daughter's hand in marriage, BJ proposed on January 18, 2025. He surprised her at their home, their little boys 🐾 present for the moment when he got down on a knee and asked her, "Loren, will you marry me?" She was so excited, she replied, "Very much!" took the ring off the little art figurine he had posted it on, and threw it on her finger. She quickly realized he probably wanted the honors so she proceeded to take it off as quickly as she had put it on, and hand it to him: "Oh wait, you're supposed to do that!" He slipped the ring back on her finger then it occurred to him, "You didn't say ‘Yes!’" "Yes I did!" "No, you didn't..." "Well I said, 'Very much!'" "But you need to say yes!" "Well then YES, YES, YES!" The couple shared their favorite table at one of their favorite date night spots, Herb & Wood, where they were were treated to 🥂 and a dessert with a cookie very clearly marked, "YES." (See image of dessert under "Things to do" tab.) The rest is pretty much her-and-history. Thank you for being a part of the next chapter in their love story.