Our story began in 2002. I was in high school at the time. After school, my friends would come over to hang out and play games. That day was different though. One of my friends was on the way to the house and had called saying, “I think someone is following me, I hear girls giggling behind me and trying to hide behind cars.” Turns out his neighbor and a few other girls, was curious where he went every day and was tailing him to my house. My friends and I walked out to the balcony to see if he was lying but sure enough, there were 4 girls walking behind him. He introduced me to his neighbor, and she introduced us to her girls. One of them was Mabel Mei Pho Liang.

Throughout college, we did the whole long distance relationship thing. She had moved to Bakersfield for nursing school, while I stayed in San Francisco. Although the drive was only 4 hours each way, it was quite the trip to make alone. We’d alternate every few weeks to make the drive only to spend the weekend together. Even though weekends were cut short, we’d cherish the time. After 5 years and thousands of miles traveled, she accepted a closer role in the Bay Area and moved back.

Visiting Japan was always on our bucket list and we made it happen. Planning took months, but it was memorable and totally worth it. Walking around Tokyo, all I could think about was finding the perfect words when the timing was right. As days went by, the more nervous I got. We spent a spectacular day in Harajuku, explored the many fashion stores, dined in themed restaurants, indulged in sweet and savory desserts, and even visited Meiji Shrine to make a wish. It was getting dark outside, and we were starting to make our way back home. The day had been perfect and the moment was right. Feeling all kinds of butterflies in my stomach, I took her by the hand, got down on one knee, and popped the question. I had gotten a light box for the ring so that at night, it’d shine on the ring giving it that extra “wow” factor. Rather than having the light shine on the ring, my jittery hands tilted the box too high blinding her with the light instead. I felt so bad but at the same time a sense of relief. My wish had come true. We were engaged!