After having met a few times through mutual friends, we found ourselves enrolled in the same French class at Sacramento City College. On the first day of class, we recognized each other and chose adjoining desks. From then on we always sat side by side, whispering jokes at the expense of our eccentric French teacher. As our connection deepened, we began taking the bus home together after class, and our shared moments grew more frequent. Our friendship blossomed, leading us to spend almost every day together, be it getting coffee, sharing meals, going to shows, ordering takeout and watching old kung fu movies, or spinning records in the cozy midtown apartment that we would eventually share. It was only a matter of time before we both recognized that our friendship was evolving into something much deeper—a profound and undeniable love. Borrowing our friend’s old sedan to stargaze from a hill atop the city, we made it official beneath the cold glow of a November full moon—much like the one that will illuminate our wedding.

On a warm, tropical summer night in Hanalei, Kaua’i, we rushed to the beach after dinner to catch the sunset. Simon set up a camera to snap a few photos of us, and as we posed together in front of the setting sun, Simon got down on one knee and proposed. As we held each other kneeling in the sand, we heard the spontaneous cheers and applause of a nearby couple, fellow sunset aficionados, who had become unexpected witnesses to this life-altering event. After bidding adieu to the beach, we celebrated our engagement with piña coladas and mai tais. The rest is history :) We're so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you in Ben Lomond!