We met through mutual friends. In our first conversation, Stephany asked me what my favorite 80's song was. I, of course said Take On Me by "A-ha". When asked the same question, she replied "any song by Michael Jackson". We had our first date on Cinco de Mayo and, in a plot twist, decided to go to the German themed Hofbrauhaus. We have been climbing trees, exploring new places, and "getting funky" ever since!

On a crisp October evening in Paris, we ascended to the summit of the Eiffel Tower. The original plan was to propose on the steps of the Trocadero across the river with a beautiful night time view of the illuminated tower (the same view from a framed black and white photo that Stephany was gifted from her mother and brother on her birthday). However, I could see from the top of the tower that the Trocadero was packed with people and I would never find a private spot. We made our way to the northwest corner of the first level (with a view of the Trocadero) and somehow, as if by fate, there was no one around us. With all the people that were up in the tower that evening, we had the corner to ourselves. I got down on one knee and reached for the little wooden box that I had "smuggled" through 4 airports, 2 international train stations, and 2 metal detectors at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Then I asked the love of my life: "Will you marry me?". Elle a dit Oui!