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August 7, 2021
Asheville, NC

Steven & Sasha

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It's All Happening!

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Sasha De Gracia

and

Steven Parker

August 7, 2021

Asheville, NC

How we re-kindled the fire

Plot Twist - Brunch & Chicago

We met on Bumble a while ago and went on a few dates which didn't materialize into anything serious at the time; guess it was the right people just not the right time. Three years passed and randomly Steven asked Sasha to brunch, just as friends, as he was in the area and had just gotten stood up from a date. Sasha at the exact same time was leaving church with friends the service message was about Plot Twists in life. This motivated her to say yes to the brunch which she would have normally declined. Once they met up for brunch they caught up on all things related to life. Sasha laughed about Steven being stood up and they really got to know each other. While at brunch Steven had discussed how he wanted to take a trip to Chicago and asked if Sasha would want to go as friends. At the time Sasha was reading the Year of Yes and felt inclined to embark on this trip. They shut the brunch restaurant down and two weeks later had an amazing time in Chicago where they furthered their friendship and bond. A few months later they started dating. Steven asked her to be his girlfriend by sending a cheesecake to her job with a note that read: I know this may be cheesy but will you be my girlfriend? check one (yes), (no), (maybe).

The Proposal

International Waters

Sasha and Steven were deciding on taking a trip as they usually do in November to Chicago. By now it was tradition to visit where it all started. However this year Sasha wanted something different. She was looking at deals online and saw incredible rates for Paris. Coupled with the fact that she gets hotel discounts, this was an opportunity they could not turn down. Unbeknownst to Sasha, Steven had secretly hired a photographer in Paris and was planning for the proposal. The plan was to arrive late Sunday and Steven would propose on Monday. Upon arrival the weather forecast called for rain on Monday causing the intended proposal day to be delayed by a day. Although Sasha had idea, this further diverted any potential future suspicion. Steven told Sasha that they had brunch plans on Tuesday morning at 10am and that they had to be on time (which was a struggle for Sasha). While dating, Sasha said a saying "Mi Media Naranja" which means my other half but in literal translation means My Half of an Orange. In the morning, Steven grabbed an orange from the breakfast buffet of the hotel and told Sasha "you never know when you might need an orange". This of course meant nothing to Sasha because if you know Steven, you know he loves his snacks. Steven was nervous and restless on Monday and could not fall asleep. So late Monday night, while Sasha was sleeping, Steven went to the lobby with his orange and cut it in half careful not to cut it all the way through so as to keep the two halves still united. He then cautiously inserted the ring into the middle of the orange saran wrapped it and attempted to get some sleep.

The Proposal Pt II

First the Orange then the Ring

On Tuesday morning Steven had slept very little but his adrenaline was at an all time high. As they made their way to the thought to be brunch location where Steven had secretly set up the photographer in the perfect spot to capture the proposal with a view of the Eiffel tower. The plan was to walk by and like tourist ask the photographer to take a picture of them. Of course the photographer would position them in the perfect angle to get the shot. Steven circled around and almost couldn't locate the photographer. Although Sasha did observe him looking for what she thought was the restaurant she thought little of it. Steven was used to being stubborn when it came to asking for directions so when Sasha offered her phone to navigate them and he declined stating he knew where they were going she rolled her eyes and went along for the ride. Sasha thought there are definitely worse places to be lost. As Steven finally located the photographer, he went up to him and asked for a picture with Sasha's phone. Although Sasha objected at first stating they needed to make it to brunch and that he was probably working (there was a bride a few feet from him taking a quick break from what appeared to be a photo session). Once she saw him consenting she considered it good fortune and was excited to capitalize on his photography skills. The photographer took Steven and Sasha's jackets and in a very inconspicuous way mentioned theft in the area and made sure that their items were secure. The photographer then positioned Steven and Sasha in the right spot. Once Steven felt they had been positioned, Steven pulled the orange out of his jacket. When Sasha saw the orange she was bewildered and upset thinking that Steven needed a snack and pushed the orange down and said "you can't wait to have a snack"?! Steven knew that she wasn't going to get it so he dropped down to one knee and opened up the orange with the ring in it.

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