Storytime

Question

Most Memorable Date (Kiran)

Answer

On our 2nd date, Tim picked me up in his Solstice convertible, with the top down, and we drove down the CA coastline through the Santa Cruz mountains. Tim introduced me to all kinds of neat places including Alice’s restaurant, a lighthouse, and my favorite: a giant 30ft swing built off an old pier in Davenport Beach. He very sweetly helped me climb down a precarious bluff to get to the beach, then spent ages trying to get the “perfect shot” with his camera of me, on said swing. Needless to say, I got some great shots on the swing. But more importantly, I saw a nurturing, protective, supportive nature that I started to fall in love with!

Question

Most Memorable Date (Tim)

Answer

One Saturday, Kiran and I hit our usual breakfast spot downtown. Afterward, we strolled through the farmer’s market by the Ferry Building, just enjoying the day. At some point, we got onto the topic of living downtown. Kiran mentioned she might enjoy living in the city for a while, something she previously said she had no interest in entertaining. For me, living in a high-rise had been a lifelong dream so this was an exciting development. At the market, we ended up getting raw oysters. We laughed about how we’ve come to love something we wouldn’t have touched earlier in life, and how our families, especially mine, still think we’re weird for liking them. Later, a friend texted us out of the blue, asking if we wanted to go to Archimedes Banya, a Russian spa in the area. I didn’t think Kiran would be up for it, but she was all in. So, we had an awesome time trying out different pools, saunas, and Russian food and drinks. It was nothing like anything we grew up with, but it just felt right for us – stepping out of our comfort zone together. That day made me realize how adventurous Kiran is and confirmed how well we fit together, always ready to try new things. It wasn’t just a great day; it was the day I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my days with her.

Question

What was the proposal like? (Tim)

Answer

I had heard Kiran comment on enough proposal stories to know I had to get it right. Kiran had some inkling that I was working on a ring but hadn’t heard me mention progress in a while so she was probably beginning to worry that I would never get it done. The day after I finished it I suggested driving down to the Santa Cruz Mountains, where we had gone on one of our early dates. One of the potential spots was down on the beach by a swing that had been attached to an old pier, but when we got to the top of the cliff to climb down to the beach, we saw that the swing was broken, and I decided that wouldn’t do. Later, we were meeting several friends at a dinner in San Francisco, so then I decided that would be where I’d pop the question. As the evening progressed, the right people never seemed to be in the right place at the right time, and before I knew, it was time to head home. As we walked to the car, past a scenic overlook I suggested we take in the view. Finally, it felt right, and as I opened the ring box, Kiran nearly fainted, I think mostly in shock that I had actually pulled off making an acceptably pretty ring.

Question

What was the proposal like? (Kiran)

Answer

It’s rather a long story. Remember the swing? Well, apparently, Tim thought it would be nice to recreate that date…so we again drove around the coastline, Alice’s, Davenport Pier…and I couldn’t understand why Tim looked so crestfallen when we got to the top of the bluff and saw that the swing was broken. He even suggested climbing down to FIX it! I didn’t realize he wanted to propose there….so couldn’t understand why it was a big deal. (I also wasn’t expecting a proposal because Tim had insisted on making the engagement ring (another long story), and was still working on it at the time.) Anyway, later that night, we were at a friend’s house for Tim’s belated birthday celebration, but I was working the next day, so had to leave relatively early. He seemed very disappointed when we left. Apparently, he’d been waiting for a moment when all the friends were in one place, so he could propose…but that never happened. So instead, as we walked to the car, he asked if I’d come over and look at the view of the city from the side of the street. I thought he was acting very strange, given we’d been looking at the same view all evening. Luckily, I agreed. As we were standing there, I gave him a hug trying to console him for whatever I thought he was disappointed about, when he pulled away, went down on one knee and pulled out a little ring box with an LED light inside, and started to propose. I was rather surprised. (He apparently had made a “prototype” ring that he was using.)

Question

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Answer

Of course, I said yes. Well, it felt anti-climactic to end on that note, so we decided to get Irish coffee at Buena Vista. Except, Tim decided to buy drinks for the whole bar to celebrate! All kinds of antics followed: the bartender, an elderly Asian man, tried to dissuade Tim from doing so, trying to impress upon him how expensive that might get. When that didn’t work, he tried to limit the offer to those sitting directly at the bar. But Tim had already LOUDLY made his proclamation to the whole bar, so waiters were already bringing in orders. Random people were approaching us to offer their congratulations. The security guard offered life advice. When we finally got ready to leave, each table stopped us we walked by, to shake Tim’s hand and offer their congratulations. Finally, as we descended the short flight of stairs to the exit, the whole bar erupted in cheers and celebratory wishes, led by the same security guard. It was amazing! We felt like movie-stars walking off into the “happily ever after” of our rom-com movie. What a rush!