So, for those who don’t know, Facebook has a dating app (now you know). Siwa’tu’s profile was very specific, requiring his future mate to be interested in real estate. Tricia’s claimed that she was sassy & sophisticated (yes, she knows how to self-promote). Siwa swiped first OBVIOUSLY and then Tricia swiped (we really don’t remember how it works anymore) - but needless to say, it was a match! It was a week before Tricia’s 50th birthday party and frankly, he wasn’t invited to the party. We had our first date and then Tricia made Siwatu wait 2 weeks for the next date. Within a week or so of that FIRST date, she invited him to her friend’s wedding in Mexico…and he said YES! Several military briefings later, they were in Mexico and on November 12th, he asked her to go steady.

Siwatu doesn’t like to disappoint. Tricia usually jumps in head first and said “Just Do It”! This is the story of our lives. Siwa is a thinker (“some” say overthinker); Tricia is impulsive and makes decisions quickly. We were in Hawaii and “by chance” walked into a jewelry store. Siwa claims it wasn’t planned and Tricia insisted that she didn’t want a proposal next to a jewelry counter…so they chose the ring and left. Him believing he had instructions from Tricia to be "romantic" - her wanting be sure that she was wearing something "pretty." Tricia was dressed in something pretty ALL. DAY. LONG…a long, day passed…a beach walk, a scenic drive along the ocean with breathtaking lookout points, a rainy Polynesian experience with luau AND fire show and no proposal. Tricia and Siwa finally got ready for bed…Tricia in a white robe. Sitting on a balcony watching the sunset, Siwa started to wax poetic about how many times he wanted to propose throughout the day, but it wasn’t “perfect.” Tricia calmly responded (belying her inner turmoil), expressing her love and that there should be no pressure because she’d planned to spend her life with him regardless. Then he got on his knee and, to Tricia’s delight (and horror that she was in her robe), Siwa proposed and Tricia said an exuberant YES! It was perfection.