Their story started when a boy messaged a girl and a date was set up for June 11, 2017. First they had a Sunday lunch at Ciro's Italian restaurant, where they got to know each other a bit, the basic questions and nervous laughs and all. But afterwards, both felt that the date was too short, so it was onward to the mall for dessert. Despite prior plans for the afternoon, they spent hours at the mall, browsing stores, finding out even more about who they were, and having a great time wandering together. Both were drawn to each other and wanted to see each other again.

They learned from each other, grew with each other, and connected with each other. She introduced him to dancing and local art hang outs, he introduced her to Totoro and his various fandoms, and they introduced each other to other favorite locales around town and beyond. After a few dates they began to see more and more of each other. It began to seem that they were rarely apart for more than a few days at a time, often driving around town or hanging at each other's places. They took their time, but within a year it wasn't long before they started having casual talks about marriage and moving in together.

It was the perfect plan. They were going to a hot-air balloon the weekend before Valentine's Day, and as she watched the balloons lift off and was distracted taking photos, he would take a knee and pop the question. Unfortunately, it was a cold, windy, and slightly rainy day, so the main attraction was canceled, putting a minor setback on those plans. No problem, he offered to bring her to a nice dinner out of the elements, surely there would be a moment in the mall of their first date where he could ask for her hand. During dinner she even noted how long they had been together and he questioned if she knew his plans... Setback #2, as the mall was filled with kids and bystanders at every opportune location they walked past and he was nervous! She could even feel a difference in how he was holding her hand tighter as she asked if he was ok. They went home, and he was determined. There in the kitchen, unceremoniously, he finally confessed, "Rain or shine, for better or for worse, there's no place I'd rather be than with you." She didn't see it happening and said, "Oh, don't get too sappy on me" as he lowered down to one knee and pulled out the ring to state, "Will you marry me?" With so much surprise, she accepted!