We were single and ready to mingle! However, our careers were encroaching on our social lives, especially mine. I would often work late into the evening following up on patients and/or finishing up surgical cases. So the convenience of a dating app was especially appealing, and enabled both of us to connect with some new and to say the least, “interesting” people. We met at a local artsy “bohemian” bar, for dinner and drinks, after work one evening. The weather was perfect: cool, dry, and almost zero humidity, which is a rare occurrence in Houston, Texas. So needless to say, we took advantage of it and sat out back on the patio. The mood was casual, the conversation was interesting, and the food was pleasing. Especially, their famous Vietnamese Fries. Things were certainly off to a good start. At some point in the conversation, the mention of this being “a date” was brought up and David quickly corrected me, saying ”This is not a date. It’s more of an encounter. If we meet up again, then we can call it a date.” I was definitely intrigued by his quick wit and conversation. So at the end of the night, I told him “Don’t be a stranger!” He called me again a few days later and set up another “date.”

We’d never been the traditional type of couple and our proposal moment, I guess you could say, was no different. I was returning home from working overseas on the day we were to attend a friends wedding. Tasch and I needed to set a meeting place so we could drive together to the venue. So I thought, why not meet at the place where it all started? The location of our first date. It was perfect. She would know exactly where to go, it was near the wedding venue, and the weather was pleasant. As planned, she arrived first and waited at a table on the patio. I enlisted the help of a trusted friend to deliver the engagement ring to me before my rendezvous with my love. I snuck in the bar’s back entrance to surprise Natascha and whispered something clever in her ear, which was followed by a BIG hug and kiss. Love those! I suggested a small toast to us, “since we were both dressed so nicely,“ and enjoying a little private moment prior to the wedding. I know she was never expecting a proposal that day, and honestly, neither was I. But I had this ring in pocket and all I could think about was putting it on her finger as fast as possible. I must have been nervous, because I barely recall what I said after that. However, I do remember it feeling like an out of body experience, watching the scene unfold from a third person point of view. I gave her a few small gifts that I’d pick up during my trip, which she loved. Then I reached into my pocket, and told her I had another small gift for her, one that was specifically made for her. She gave me a look of surprise as I placed it on the table in front of her and I could see her go a bit blush. When she saw the ring a tear came to her eye (I think one came to mine as well). Here’s where the nerves came on again. She looked at me, as I sat there silently, and she said, “Well! Are you gonna ask me?” So I snapped to, and popped the question. She said YES! And made me happier than I ever knew I could be.