Our Story
Josh's Side
Part A
On July 3, 2023, I went over to a karaoke house party hosted by my friend Kate. I had gotten to know Kate through the homeless outreach and advocacy group Ktown for All, and most of the guests at the party were familiar Ktown for All members--except for one: Amanda, who was a coworker of Kate's from LAFLA. After greeting friends, I approached this intriguing, pretty stranger and introduced myself. We got to talking and suddenly, it seemed, 3 hours had passed. We connected about shared experiences living abroad (hers being way more extensive and intense than my own!), the merits of being a lawyer, and running & biking. We did sing karaoke at some point, but I really enjoyed just hanging out with her and was starting to feel butterflies in my stomach. The night was getting late, and while she was in the restroom, Kate came up to me and said, "Hey Josh, I see you've been talking to Amanda a lot. You know, she's single--you should get her number!" I'd told Amanda about a weekly bike ride I take to the top of Griffith Park to watch the sunset. Since she'd seemed interested, I used it as a pretext to ask for her number. I was super nervous, my palms were sweaty, and I swear everyone stopped talking just at that moment, but I somehow worked up the nerve to ask her—and she obliged!
Josh's Side
Part B
Two days later, Kate asked if I’d texted Amanda yet. The truth was I was so nervous that I’d gone through multiple drafts without hitting send. But Kate’s encouragement finally prompted me to go for it. Sure enough, Amanda texted back, and we set up our first date: drinks at Verdugo Bar, followed by ice cream at Afters in Highland Park. That date led to more, and soon Amanda and I were hanging out most days. I can’t pinpoint an exact moment that I knew I was in love with her, but very quickly I knew Amanda was not just another stop on the weird ride of dating in my mid-30s--she was the destination. In the last year, I’ve fallen ever more deeply in love with this beautiful, caring, brilliant, and silly woman. We’ve gone on road trips, camping, hiking, and international adventures; we’ve gone to basketball, baseball, and hockey games, concerts and folk festivals; we’ve moved heavy furniture and built a beautiful little home together. And throughout it all, we’ve gotten the chance to know each other so deeply and intentionally, all while becoming part of one another’s family. The decision to propose to Amanda on July 3, 2024 didn’t take anywhere near the level of nerves it took to send that first text—it was something I was so sure of, from the bottom of my heart to the deepest corner of my soul. I’m so excited to embark on this next chapter with her, and know that anything life throws our way, we can handle together.
Amanda's Side
Part A
My work friend Kate invited me over to her house for a party on July 3, 2023. I was excited to hang out with Kate outside of work, but nervous about meeting all her friends who, with their spontaneous weeknight karaoke sessions at hip Ktown spots, seemed way too cool for me. Everyone was new to me at the party, so the night is still a bit of a blur. But, I remember Josh. I remember his shy, adorable smile while the whole party quieted down to listen to him serenade us in Spanish. I remember trying to impress him by singing Karaoke for the first time in my life (not quite sure why I thought my off-key rendition of Avril Lavigne’s Sk8er Boi would be impressive…). I remember staying out way past my bedtime, and past the departure of most of the party, talking to him. And, I remember him getting my number. But, he got my number to coordinate a bike ride that was beyond my physical capabilities, so I thought that was the end of that.
Amanda's Side
Part B
Turns out, it was only the beginning. Josh texted me the next work day, right before I had my usual lunch with Kate. She asked, “So….did Josh text you?”, not hiding very well the fact that she knew he had. Then, she sincerely told me why she thought Josh was a good guy, and why she thought we might get along, and encouraged me to text him back soon. I did, and just a few days later we embarked on our first of a series of early dates that lasted many hours more than planned. Not too many weeks later, I was googling embarrassing phrases like “can I be in love this early?” I talked through my growing feelings with my friend Meghan in early September. We agreed, I was in love, but shouldn’t tell him yet…might scare him away. Turns out, he beat me to the “I love you,” with it spontaneously coming out as we danced to John Deere Green while unpacking dishes in his new kitchen later that month. I feel like we haven’t stopped dancing since, and with perfect-for-me Josh as my partner, I know we never will.