Her Version: I first met Suren while backpacking through Colombia. We were both on a free walking tour in Medellin and spent the afternoon exploring the city. No contact information was exchanged at the end of the day and we both went our separate ways. Fast-forward one year. I had returned to San Diego, CA where Suren (unbeknownst to me) had moved to pursue a new job with a startup company. We didn’t know it at the time, but we were crossing paths daily since his gym and my work were across the street from each other. As fate would have it, we were matched on a dating website, and he just happened to remember me from that afternoon we spent in Medellin over a year and a half previously.

Her Version: I have a soft spot in my heart for the little town of Ocean Beach in San Diego, CA. When Suren asked if I wanted to grab a drink at the OB Street Fair, I couldn't say no. We spent the afternoon wandering around the OB street fair while trading travel stories. Since then, we’ve been inseparable.

His Version: Prior to meeting Monica in San Diego, I had planned a backpacking trip to Spain. A couple of months into our relationship, Monica asked me if she could join. I said definitely! A month before my trip, I got a letter from the Air Force that I would have to start Officer Training School in January 2019. Everything changed at this point because I knew I would have to leave San Diego in 3 months and didn't want to end the best relationship I ever had. It was then that I decided to propose to her during the trip. The day before the trip I asked for her dad's blessing (granted!). I had no idea where I was going to propose but had a picture in my head. So I was carrying the ring the first couple of days with me until I found the perfect place. We heard about an old military castle from a local and decided to make a detour on our way to our next city. It was on top of a mountain facing the Mediterranean Sea and getting close to sunset. It was the picture I had in my mind so I got down on one knee and asked to spend the rest of our lives together. She said Yes!

The recent Easter Sunday Bombing attack in Sri Lanka forced us to cancel our plans to get married in Suren's home country. Instead, we're going back to the location of our first international trip as a couple - Mexico! We could not be more excited to celebrate the next step in our journey with each of you, who have played (and will continue to play) such an important part in our adventure!