Although we grew up only 30 minutes apart (Rachael in Santa Rosa, and Kyle in Petaluma), it took a 600 mile move to finally meet. We met for the first time at San Diego State. Kyle and his friends came over to help his cousin Shannon and her new roommate, Rachael, move into their house for the year. Over the next six months, between the parties (let's be real, it was college), adventures, and studying (we occasionally did that too), we realized what we felt for each other was more than friendship.

We were headed to Lake Almanor with Paul and Kathy to celebrate Kyle's birthday (or so I thought). Before dinner, the four of us grabbed a drink and went for a cruise on the lake. With Almanor looking like glass and the sun setting against Mt. Lassen, Kyle took my hand and led me to the stern of the boat for a picture. As Kathy worked to capture the perfect shot, I felt Kyle step away. I turned towards him and found him down on one knee, ring box in hand. I gasped, and started nodding "yes!" before he even got a word out. Now we can't wait to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you!