We met in typical millennial fashion: Boris super-liked Vika on an app. Growing up on opposite sides of the Bay Area, we quickly discovered a shared history, culture, and language as immigrants from opposite ends of the Soviet Union. First dates at Mission bars led to long walks around Lake Merritt, to movie nights in with Vika's famous charcuterie spreads, to bonding over animal memes and politics. It didn't take long until we both knew we'd found our match.

Boris proposed on a cabin trip in Bass Lake, California. After a day of boating and swimming, our friends distracted Vika while Boris set the scene. That night, she walked out onto the deck to find a path paved with rose petals, candles, and friends holding sparklers. At the end of the path, surrounded by the forest and stars, she found Boris down on one knee.