It's FINALLY happening!

At UCR's honors orientation we both decided to participate in a Pixar themed murder mystery game just for the fruit snacks. Zoe, of course, was picked as the murderer, and everyone had to interrogate each other to deduce the culprit. Allen was the goofy town drunk and was a little too into character. Allen had a feeling that Zoe looked suspicious and guilty. He wouldn't stop asking her questions, and likewise couldn't stop making Zoe laugh with his terrible acting skills. In the end Allen was right about Zoe being the murderer, and it was the perfect start to our love story.

I asked Zoe to go walking at the UCR Botanic Gardens with me. It was right before our finals, and Zoe was really stressed about one in particular that she had to take that day. I met with her with the intention of asking her to be my girlfriend, and I was incredibly nervous when I tried to make a semi-prepared talk. I ended up being the first to blurt out that I loved her, and she could not stop smiling for the rest of the time we were there. We ended up sharing a VERY memorable first kiss, and then Zoe went on to pass her final with flying colors. And no, I didn't realize it happened to also be Saint Patty's Day, it happened to be the best day to ask her to hang out, and since then we always loved the number 17 and tried to do at least something fun or memorable each 17th of the month.

We decided to take a month to travel Australia and New Zealand at the end of 2018. I took the opportunity to ask Zoe to marry me on Piha Beach in New Zealand on December 26th. Even though I was so nervous and tearing up, Zoe of course said yes! Since then we have been anxiously excited to plan our wedding, and now finally get to have it.

We were originally planning to have our wedding celebration on August 7 of 2021. But of course Covid-19 put a hold on plans. But after much uncertainty, and some new hope for the world returning to normal, we were able to plan a celebration to remember. We are thrilled to invite you to share in this incredible moment!