Little did our friend Markie know that her 18th birthday party would lead to this. That fateful afternoon back in 2008, Carly’s (overly) competitive nature led to her zeroing in on Alex as the only person at the party who could give her a run for her money at a game of Keep Away in the pool. This competitive interest led to the pair becoming fast friends, even though Alex demolished her in 1-on-1 on the basketball court, a fact which Carly only seldom acknowledges. The two maintained their friendship throughout the next 12 years, making sure to visit at winter and summer breaks when in college. And as they each explored life in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Monterey, or Costa Mesa, they consistently made trips to visit each other no matter where in California the other one lived. They helped each other through the ups and downs of relationships, family drama, difficult school work and career decisions. Despite Carly’s family and friends regularly asking why she didn’t date Alex, the two had never considered each other as a romantic option during those many years of friendship. This may have been the wisest thing they ever did because they both changed and grew dramatically during all that time. But one thing that remained constant was their friendship. Late in January of 2020, right before the pandemic hit, Alex once again drove from Monterey to Costa Mesa to attend Carly’s Golden Birthday party. Perhaps it was the many years of inception by those around her, but something had changed that night and Carly made a move. To both of their shock, they realized they had feelings for each other and after hours of discussing the pros and cons (sometimes they are both a bit Type A), they decided to take the risk and turn their friendship into something more. Carly may have made the first move, but Alex was the first to jump in.

Communication is key right? Alex had communicated very effectively that he would propose in April 2022. When they went to look at engagement rings and spoke to the jeweler, Alex reinforced that the jeweler, Jon Pettey, would need time to make the ring and Alex would need time to plan the proposal so April was his earliest estimate. He communicated clearly, frequently, and with conviction. President’s Day weekend (late Feb in case you also don’t keep close track of all the secular holidays), they went up to Monterey for their friends’ baby shower. Alex had suggested they take a hike the day they drove back so they could be a bit active before the long drive home. You see where this is going. Carly didn’t. This is a normal thing for them, so it didn’t seem suspicious to her at all. Especially because Alex wasn't going to propose until April, right? He had said it so much that on their hike at Point Lobos Carly had even asked that if she correctly guessed how he was planning to propose in April, whether that would make him change his mind. No. It would not (you understand why! Carly did not.) She kept guessing for another 40 minutes or so to Alex’s great amusement. Alex also reminded Carly that if she wanted to take pictures of the beautiful scenery (and it was beautiful) she should just let him know and they’ll stop. She thought that was a great idea so started capturing a few photos of the sea hitting the rocks. Then Alex asked if she wanted to take a picture of the two of them. She did. So he casually suggested that she should just let him know when she sees a spot she likes. INCEPTION. MASTERY. MANIPULATION. SHE’S A GONER. So when Carly picked a spot, she tested out that the photo would capture faces and the background well enough to show the scenery. While she was testing out the photos, Alex was fiddling with his backpack. Confused and only mildly suspicious, Carly inquired as to whether he was getting his phone and wanted to use it for the more advanced camera, but he replied that he was just getting his new beanie out for the photo. She was delighted by his forethought and said that she loves that beanie on him, what a great idea (what a naive person). Alex was still messing around with his backpack though and when Carly looked back down, Alex was on one knee with a box in his hand. After a few "but you said April!"'s and her complete, disabling shock subsided, she heard what Alex actually said and enthusiastically accepted. Just in case it wasn’t perfect enough, while Carly was still delirious, 10 yards up the trail they met a docent who pointed out a momma sea otter and her baby feeding in the waters below. Alex did not, in fact, orchestrate that part. That we know of.