We met the modern way—on a dating app—bonding over our shared love of good coffee. Our first date was at a little coffee-and-flowers shop (yes, it’s as charming as it sounds), where we quickly realized we had way more in common than just espresso preferences. She thought his smile was a little goofy (in the best way), and he was amazed at how fast she could talk and still make perfect sense. Pretty quickly, the conversation moved past lattes and into the things that really matter—family, work, and the highs and lows of real life. And by the end of that first cup, something just clicked.

He’d been trying to plan something special, so she was definitely on alert. (Christmas? Nope. Her birthday? Still nope.) By the time the big moment finally came, she wasn’t exactly surprised that it happened—but she was surprised it happened that day. It was an ordinary morning, and she thought it was a terrible day for a hike. But he insisted. They headed to Usery Mountain Park, ending up at a quiet playground they’d visited on one of their very first dates. And there, surrounded by desert and a whole lot of memories, he asked—and she said yes. They celebrated the best way possible: with incredible Italian food, happy tears, and that feeling of finally.