We're getting married!

In August 2024, Liz and I traveled to Maui, HI for a well-deserved island getaway. We both knew that rest, relaxation, and tanning were on the week's itinerary. However, what Liz didn't know was that I carried a beautiful ring that we'd designed together months prior. Working with a local photographer, I picked a date, time, and location for the special moment: Oneloa Beach at sunset on August 11. After all, how could you not get engaged in front of the beautiful waters of Maui? Ring, check. Photographer, check. Setting, check. Now, if you know Liz and me well, you know that we're extremely casual in both vibes and dress. I needed a reason for us—specifically, her—to not be in athleisure apparel. I told Liz that we should have dinner at James Beard-winning restaurant Merriman's, which was conveniently located five minutes from the beach. Non-Lululemon attire, check. Everything was falling into place. Sunday, August 11 quickly rolled around. The day started with a trip to the local aquarium, which featured a great array of wildlife. Shortly following, we stopped at a café for lunch and hit the beach for a quick dose of sun. Before I knew it, "Island-Time" was turning into "Go-Time." I should quickly note that, on the morning of August 11, I reminded Liz about our dinner plans at Merriman's. I mentioned that there was a beach I wanted to visit beforehand to watch the sunset and check out the volcanic geography. Liz will tell you that this was her first suspicion that something was afoot: I went from "go-with-the-flow" to planning. We arrived at the beach shortly before 6 p.m. Oneloa is a beautiful area: white sand with a boardwalk that leads to cliffs. As we're walking down the boardwalk, I take note of the extravagant beach houses, making comments about how nice things are and the wonderful view. Another moment of suspicion for Liz. Apparently, I'd been quiet all day up to that point and, now, I'm talking about beachfront property—which I don't think is out of character. The passage ends and we walk onto rocky cliffs, where I lead her down to the edge. The moment was perfect: the glow of golden hour, the sounds of waves crashing ashore, the smell of tropics with a hint of sunscreen, and a breeze for good measure. My arm was around Liz as we chatted and took in the view. After a bit, I dropped on one knee and asked her to marry me. She said yes.