Christmas 2019 was by far the most unique and exciting Christmas either of us have ever had! For the first time ever, we decided to celebrate the holidays in the Philippines with Sarah's family. Traveling there only two years prior, I could see what an amazing connection my then girlfriend has to the place she calls the “mother land”. On top of that, this trip was the first time her family would be able to be together in over a decade. So I knew how much this trip meant to Sarah. Sarah's family jokes that It really shows my love for her, because saying I hate flying is an understatement!! After a little over 20hrs of flying and an amazing 24 hours in Japan, we finally made it to the Philippines again. After a week and a half of enjoying the sun and sand, it was finally Christmas. That morning was anything but normal. We woke up to a category 3 typhoon with 120mph winds and rain pouring so hard that the windows started to leak. After a morning of soaking up water and cleaning up as much damage as we could, it was time to bring back the Christmas spirit. Having no power, a bunch of family and neighbors enjoyed food and opening gifts by candle light. Sarah's father, playing Santa Claus, called me up and handed me the ring that was hidden in his white glove. I got down on one knee and popped the question! Sarah replied with a tearful “ABSOLUTLEY!”. There was booming “Santa approves!” over a crowd of clapping cousins and screaming aunts. Just when Sarah thought this moment couldn't get any more sentimental, she realized that the ring was her mothers that she had admired her whole life! Truly a day we will never forget.