Riley: Lily: Although Riley and I had known of each other for years, we had never said more than a few words to each other. Then the summer of 2020 rolled around, and I had been hanging out with a certain group of friends almost every day. Aaron, Riley's stepbrother was one of the people in the group, and one day he asked if Riley could come along when we hung out, and just like that, Riley was hanging out with us everyday. I liked him right off the bat, but since we were both kind of awkward, neither of us were going to make the first move. Then, about a month later, with a lot of heavy suggestion and plotting from our friends, Riley asked me out. Our first date was the least awkward first date ever, and we knew soon after that we were serious about each other.

Riley : I'd say that it was a gut feeling. One of those moments where you truly know deep down inside that it was meant to be. Lily Lily : I want to say I knew right off the bat, but Riley continually proved to me every single day how much he cared about me, loved me, and would protect me. I knew he was the one by how he constantly set himself apart from everyone else.

Who popped the question : Riley When : July 30th, 2021 Where : Alki Beach, Seattle

Riley: Lily: It started as just a regular date, Riley had said he "wanted to go on one last date before he left for college," as he was leaving for college in California the following Monday. I was completely clueless going into the date, we went to Pegasus Pizza for dinner, and Riley had a plan to bring me along the beach where one of our favorite dates had been. Looking back, I realize how much Riley had been stalling by doing things like suggesting we walk for a mile in the wrong direction before turning back to go the right way. As we were nearing the beach, I got a weird feeling about what was going to happen. Riley had been so serious all night, and his phone had been blowing up with texts. As we neared the beach, I heard the song I had showed to Riley weeks before, "When I Say I Do" by Matthew West. I immediately recognized the song and realized my gut feeling from earlier had been right. Riley proposed, and when he stood up, I turned at first to see his aunt, taking pictures (which turned out beautiful by the way, and are under the photos tab) and his uncle, videoing the whole thing. When I turned even further, I saw our whole family pouring out of the bushes, including my best friend, and Riley's Dad who flew in all the way from Hawaii to celebrate with us. It was truly a magical proposal and one of the best days of my life.