I was introduced to Rachelle by my cousins on my first day of High School when I moved to San Diego. It was the first day of the second semester of Freshman year. I ate lunch with their group for a few weeks. She often ate the salad cups that our cafeteria served and wore floral dresses. She will tell you that she tried to talk to me on several occasions, but I ignored her. In my defense, my mind was elsewhere and it was unintentional! Sorry Rachelle hehe. After a few weeks of having lunch we split ways. We had AP world history together during our sophomore year, but she forgets that I was in that class. Three years later, I ran in to her as I was volunteering at Paradise Valley Hospital. I was reading my Anatomy textbook when Rachelle walked in the room. She was going to start volunteering at the hospital again. As I looked up my heart started to race, and her presence lit up the room. I was drawn to her. We began volunteering together and I eventually asked her to be my homecoming date. I was very awkward around her. She made me nervous and I was not smooth whatsoever!

Months later, I asked her to be my prom date. I planned to ask her to be my girlfriend on the day that we went out to choose my tuxedo. I wanted to surprise her with a nice dinner. I had never been on a date before. I had some assistance from my boy Louis (one of my groomsmen). I was particularly interested in a restaurant in Coronado, and he recommended Peohe’s. After getting her Mom’s permission, I surprised her with dinner at Peohe’s. We felt a bit out of place when we arrived to the restaurant, as we were the youngest by forty years on average and under-dressed. After dinner we sat on a bench on the ferry landing and watched the sunset. I saw that she was getting cold, so I awkwardly offered her my jacket and put my arm around her. The moment was perfect. The sun was setting with the downtown skyscrapers in the background, and I had my arm around the most beautiful woman in the world. Unfortunately, I choked big time and couldn’t muster the courage to ask her to be my girlfriend. I was very frustrated when I got home after dropping her off at her house. I blew it! I called her and said, “you forgot your homework in my car. I’ll come over and drop it off.” I don’t know why I said that. She didn’t bring any homework with her, so it didn’t make any sense. Feeling dumb, I drove over and asked her to be my girlfriend in front of her house. She jokingly said no, then yes to my relief. I am happy that she became my one and only girlfriend. Six years passed until I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me at Castello di Amorosa in Napa Valley. I am truly blessed to marry such an incredible woman as Rachelle and cannot wait to start our lives together.