TWENTY-TWENTY! The year that everyone wants to forget is this couple’s most memorable and most important year! Norgie, who lives in Canada, flew to California to spend the Holidays with family. Little did she know that this trip would change her life forever… It started when Norgie went on a blind date with Frederick the day after New Year’s Day 2020! Frederick was sick that day but did not want to miss this opportunity to meet Norgie. They decided to meet up at Bakers and Baristas in Cerritos, California. Frederick arrived at the café first but soon realized that he had forgotten his wallet at home. He frantically went back to his car to look for cash and luckily, he found a $20 bill. So, he went back to the coffee shop where he would see Norgie waiting for him. Frederick thought Norgie “looked way better than her pictures,” but also praying to the ‘blind-date gods’ that Norgie will not order much during the date. Luckily, Norgie had dinner before meeting up and ordered only a cup of coffee. This date lasted for a couple of hours and Norgie made a note of how much of a “gentleman” Frederick was. Three days later, Frederick asked Norgie out for dinner and this time, he remembered to bring his wallet! Before Norgie went back home to Canada, they had dinner one last time. A long-distance relationship is hard, but they were both willing to give it a shot and get to know each other more from two different countries. There were lots of texts, calls, and facetimes that made their relationship closer. Valentines 2020, Frederick flew to Toronto to be with Norgie. Frederick got to see the city that Norgie calls home. Each day spent together, touring and hanging out, they continue to learn more about each other. Before this trip ended, Frederick asked Norgie if she can be his girlfriend… and Norgie said “YES!” Their plan is to visit each other and meet up in different cities and travel together. They were ready to make this relationship blossom… Little did they know, March 2020 would come and throw a huge problem—COVID 19!!! Travels were prohibited and borders were closed. It is a make or break for a relationship! COVID may have prevented Norgie and Frederick to meet in person, but this just made their relationship even stronger. Like what they say, “if there’s a will, there’s a way!” These two did every creative way of dating from afar – virtual dates (full-on formal attires, eating dinner in front of the computer), Derrick sending Norgie gifts, flowers and DoorDash very often, and of course they continued their consistent calls, texts, and facetime. Their hearts grew stronger and closer even though distance and travel restrictions remained. They were so eager to one day be able to see each other again. And then… things fell into place. Norgie passed her RN licensure exam and soon after accepted a job offer in Washington. By October 2020, she moved to the US and saw Frederick in person again. For the next months, they took turns traveling to California and Washington. In January 2021, Frederick decided to move to Washington to be with Norgie.

Frederick knew that Norgie will be his forever quarantine partner the moment he decided to move to Washington to be with her. All that is left for him to do is to wait for the perfect time to ask her to be his forever partner. The couple planned a trip to Hawaii in early June 2022, it has been a while since they went for a romantic getaway and Frederick thought that this was the perfect opportunity to propose to Norgie. For the next few days, these love birds enjoyed all the sights and beauty of the island, but Norgie was unhappy with how the vacation pictures were turning out. Frederick was not a great "Instagram boyfriend!" This gave Frederick a clever idea on how to propose. Frederick told Norgie that he will book a photographer to take photos of them on the beach. So, on June 10th, 2022, they both got ready for a photoshoot during sunset. They took several beautiful photos and at the end, the photographer asked them both to "close their eyes" and walked towards a more romantic setup with the excuse that it would take a great and dramatic photo. Norgie had no idea that she was the only one with her eyes closed. The photographer asked them to keep their eyes closed as they say, "what they are grateful for about each other." Norgie went first and then it was Frederick’s turn to say what he is grateful for having Norgie in his life. Once he was done, Norgie opened her eyes as he went down on his knee with a ring on his hand and nervously but excitedly asked her to marry him... ... and she said "YES!"