We first met at Vin de Syrah in San Diego's Gaslamp District. It was a Sunday night in February, Simon was bartending, and Michael was out with a few friends. They were a rowdy bunch, but made a lasting impact, as Simon remembered them the next time they came in months later. As Michael finished his senior year of college at USD, Syrah quickly became one of his favorite spots to come for a cocktail.
We were vacationing in Aruba, enjoying the beautiful island. One night we went for a walk on the beach before dinner. As the sun was setting, Michael got down on one knee and popped the question!