We met in the summer of 2016 at the read-thru for Glassmoon Theater's avant-garde production of MacBeth. As soon as our eyes locked, it was instant fireworks. We couldn't stop staring at each other. This was the first and last community theater show Chris has ever done. He played the character Thane of Ross, while Danica was miscast as Witch #1/Gentlewoman. We found out we lived only blocks away from each other in Ventura, CA and started carpooling to rehearsals. I knew I loved him from the moment he came to see me in A Mid Summer Night's Dream, when I asked if he wanted water during the intermission in hot Ojai, he would have to meet me behind the gate. He texted me, "Oo clandestine rendezvous." He had me the moment I read that. I never laughed so hard. The next day he took me to see Star Trek Beyond. The movie was a disappointment for the franchise, but a personal best for us.

Chris took me back to where it all started-- the Chaparral High School Cafetorium where we had the first read-thru of MacBeth. I knew an engagement was coming, but boy did he make me wait in suspense! It felt like I was going to move to Chicago, and still have no ring. He and his lovely mother played me and had me fooled until the very last minute! Chris rented out the space and had his mom make up some story that were were going to lunch to see a property she was thinking of purchasing. I was annoyed that it was a matter of a couple weeks until we were moving. Chris went through the trouble of changing into a nice outfit and doing his hair. I said "What does it matter what I wear? We aren't getting engaged today," and I pouted the entire drive to Ojai. Chris then made up some story about an "art show" that his brother, Teddy, told him about and how we should step in and see. Chris while holding my hand, led me through and I saw a sign that read "private event," so I tried to pull him out. He tugged me back in and said, "no it's fine." I see the cafetorium is empty and Chris starts saying "remember the first time we met, right here in this spot..." I started ugly crying, because I couldn't believe that it was finally happening. It was perfect. It was amazing. It was Chris-- definitely worth the wait. After several moments of me sitting on the floor crying, Chris had me open the ring box. Inside was the most beautiful ring I have ever seen (it's huge too!) He then said he hired a friend to come take photos. I started freaking out, because my black shirt was covered in Kiko hair and I looked grubby. Cried all my makeup off too. Hand in hand we went shopping to find a nice shirt to wear in the photos, and Chris had the foresight to have me bring my big purse where I always keep a travel bag of makeup.