It all started with a corny wink. He had went sliding into the dancers on the baseline of the GCU basketball court and lucky for him, the beautiful one he had a crush on was one of them. He prepared for the and-1 free throw, and just before shooting it, glanced over and gave a life changing, yet still very corny, wink. The wink turned into a conversation starter and the conversation turned into a double date in Disneyland during a road game. Their first ride together was Little Mermaid (one of her favorites) and their second was Indiana Jones (one of his favorites). She liked that he made her feel comfortable and he liked that she laughed at his goofy jokes. From the giggles in the Disneyland waiting lines, came the realization they were essentially neighbors on campus. After 59 days of getting to know each other and a cheesy "59 reasons why I think you are amazing" note, the two started dating. The next part is fairly complicated, but with a wild ride of long distance and living in 4 different countries together, let's just say "adventures" ensued. From these adventures a bond and commitment to each other despite any circumstance formed. Love was earned and the two knew it was something rare. So he asked her the hardest question he had ever asked another person: "Will you be my forever?"

The two had spent the last two summers cruising around the Kirkland waterfront. From lake days, coffee dates, and sunset cannon balls, the Kirkland waterfront was not short of those "memories of simpler times". This is why he decided that it would be the perfect spot for the big, yet simple question: "Forever?". He flew in her mother and sister under the disguise of a "joint-mother-daughter birthday celebration". She was clueless. He had also asked her sister to do some engagement ring reconnaissance under yet another disguise as they were shopping for her sister's potential engagement ring. It worked, and yet again she was clueless. Let's not forget that he had broken his hand that summer and made it clear that recovery was all he was thinking about. A birthday dinner was set and the plan was afoot. After a few too many appetizers due to his nervous eating, the group went for a sunset lakefront walk. He thought he was clever humming along "Marry You" by Bruno Mars (yes, it actually played in the restaurant) as the two held hands and walked out in front of the small pack of family. As the group neared the same dock that the two had shared countless memories at, she began to squint as if she saw something in the distance. They walked closer and as they did, she saw the beautiful display of rose petals and candles. The two continued down to the end of the dock and with the sun setting behind the clouds, he dropped to a knee and stuttered through that seemingly simple question, "Will you marry me?" With leaking eyes she managed the happiest "yes", he had ever heard. They turned around and their best friends, family, and cute little puppy were all cheering and hollering. The words had been said, the agreement made, and now we are here. Let's make this thing official!