I had no clue that I was going to meet Richie Ailua Te'o on September 16, 2017! I was invited to go bowling on a Saturday night by a mutual friend. As I waited for everyone to show up, Richie finally walked through the door. We did not formally introduce ourselves until we started bowling. Richie definitely made the effort to start small talk, I was really shy, so I tried to avoid conversation. It was later that Richie shared with me that he thought I wasn’t interested in him, but he was wrong. As the night went on I sneaked a picture of Richie on snapchat and sent it to one of my best friends, Hope, because I thought he was sooo cute. I was happy when he finally asked for my number before we said goodbye that night. I didn’t know the next time we would see each other but the following day I received his text asking me what movie I wanted to see. It was a perfect date. Richie’s gentle and calm spirit has been a blessing in my life. We could not have met at a more perfect time, and I can’t wait to spend the rest my life with him.

On September 16, 2017, is when I first met Tracey. That night I wasn't planning on going out to bowl, but I ended up going anyway because I told one of my friends that I would go. So, I walk inside the bowling alley and the first thing I see is this beautiful girl sitting there staring at me. So, I asked my friend who she was, and she introduced me to Tracey. I was attracted to Tracey and wanted to get to know her. I was too shy to talk to her and it was hard for me to look at her because she was too good-looking. Anyway, as we were getting our shoes we still had not said anything to each other. We stood in line for about 5-10 minutes and not a single word. As we got our shoes, we started bowling. Everybody was having fun, laughing and just enjoying each other's company, but I was still trying to get Tracey alone so I can start conversation. Finally, I see her by herself, and I took the chance to go and talk to her. I talked to her and asked her questions, and all I would get is one-word answers. In my mind I thought she wasn't interested or she was seeing someone else. We finished bowling and we all decided to meet at a friend's house. We were sitting around the table talking and laughing. Tracey was just sitting there, and I was playing an iMessage game on my phone with one of my friends. So, I had the idea that the only way I could get her number is by getting her to play iMessage games with me. The only way to play the game is through text, so I asked her if she wanted to play. She said yes, and handed me her phone so I could put in my contact info., I was so excited! After that night everybody went home. For me, I could not stop thinking about Tracey. So the next day, I texted her to ask if she wanted to go watch a movie. She told me yes, and I was super happy that she wanted to go. Now, two years later, I've asked my best friend, the love of my life to marry me... and she said Yes; one of the best days of my life.