In the late summer of 2019, Natalie made the decision to transfer to La Sierra University during her junior year of college. This was where she crossed paths with Lucian, introduced by Natalie's cousin, Gillian. On the first day of school, Lucian already had his eyes on her and offered to walk her to class. From then on, they would eat lunch together every day in the library. Sometimes he would give her rides home from school, and they would bond over favorite music in the evening traffic on the 91. Eventually, Lucian asked Natalie out on a date. During their first date, there was no question that sparks flew when they were together. Hours felt like minutes, and it didn’t take long for their feelings to grow. After a few months of beach dates, Thai food, and several long distance FaceTime calls that lasted until the early morning hours, Lucian decided that he was going to ask Natalie to be his girlfriend. It didn’t take very long for the two to fall in love. Since that day, Natalie and Lucian have been inseparable, and have been there for each other through thick and thin. They still marvel at the circumstances that brought them together (especially since they were born on opposite ends of the earth—Lucian in Suceava, Romania and Natalie in Loma Linda, California), and there is no doubt in either of their minds that God had a hand in their union.

On Natalie’s 23rd birthday, Lucian took her on a surprise picnic to Snowline in Oak Glen (the same spot where they had their first date). In the picnic basket (prepared by Luc) were sandwiches, a charcuterie spread, chocolate covered strawberries…and a small square box with a shiny ring inside. Before Natalie knew it, Lucian was down on one knee asking her to be his wife. She said yes!