Imagine, Oakland, 2022. The month was January. January 5 to be exact. After a brief attempt at dating via bumble, I came home from work one night and decided to delete the app. I changed out of my scrubs, showered, filled my robe pockets with starburst jelly beans, and collapsed on the couch. As I opened bumble, the first picture refreshed, and staring back at me was Ryan. I thought to myself, “Well I wasn’t expecting that!” I decided to make a deal. I’d swipe right. If we were a match, I’d message him. If we weren’t, I’d delete the app. I swiped. FIREWORKS! We were a match. I proceeded to make myself another deal as a wrote to him. If he didn’t respond within 3 minutes, app would be deleted. I hit send. THREE DOTS. He responded immediately. I literally couldn’t believe it. We stayed up way past my bedtime chatting. When I finally went to sleep, there was a giant smile on my face. • I somehow managed charm him as we messaged over the next couple days and he asked to take me out on a date that coming weekend. Obviously I obliged. I’ll never forget the way my heart felt when he came to pick me up. I knew, the moment I saw him, that I would love this man forever. Bonus points for being extraordinarily handsome and bringing a bottle of magnificent wine. As we stood in the kitchen, enjoying a glass of a delightful red, I also enjoyed staring into his beautiful eyes and imaging our future together. • From the first date until now, we’ve been inseparable and we still stay up way beyond our bedtimes, but now we are on the couch together. My heart continues to belong to Ryan and his heart belongs to me. We wouldn’t have it any other way. ❤️

As two very busy professionals, having a child (and for me a bonus child), traveling for bodybuilding competitions, and normal day-to-day responsibilities, we don’t necessarily have much time to the two of us these days. In March 2023, I asked Ryan’s parents if we could use the Yountville house for a mini vacation the first weekend in May. I had a very teeny tiny window between competitions and was itching for a romantic rendezvous with the love of my life. They said yes. A couple days before we left, I was over at his parent’s house to pick up Rosie from a play date with her sister. While casually chatting about the upcoming weekend, I suggested Kiki and Dave meet us on Sunday for a wine tasting. They obliged. • Sunday morning we woke up and walked to Bouchon Bakery. If you aren’t familiar, you should be. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed. We snagged up a smorgasbord of pastries and strolled back to the house where we proceeded to eat our pastries in bed, followed by a delightful morning nap. I woke up thinking “It doesn’t get any better then this!” If ever there was a moment I was wrong, this was it. Ryan’s parents arrived and we quickly hit the road for Far Niente Winery. As we drove through the grand entrance, my eyes were captivated by the absolute charm of the grounds. I looked over at Ryan and declared “We should get married here!” Radio. Silence. Thwack! My hand smacks his shoulder. “Oh sorry I was just taking in all the beauty…” was Ryan’s response. We gathered for our tasting and enjoyed every last drop. As I paid for our bottle purchases, the gentleman gathered his father’s email for membership and asked me “Is that McNabb with one B or two B’s?” “Two B’s as in ‘I’m a McNabb to be!’” was my reply. Now mind you, at this point I have no clue what is about to happen. I’m just hopelessly in love with this incredible man. • Our next mission was to explore the beautiful estate. Dave led us around, giving us a tour and sharing all of his knowledge with us. If you haven’t been to Far Niente, you MUST! It’s absolutely stunning! Dave led us down a path to a lovely pond with a charming little bridge and gazebo. He suggested we take a photo on the bridge with the estate behind us. “It’s absolutely perfect with the castle behind you! Look!” I strolled over to Dave and looked at the view from his cell phone. He wasn’t wrong. The view was stunning. I walk back over to the bridge, position myself with Ryan and begin to pose for photos with my man. • Soon after we had started dating, Ryan had written me a confirmation of love. A nice little declaration of his vows to me if you will. Occasionally he will whip it out to re-share with me, so while we posed for photos and he decided to read it to me, in that moment, it didn’t occur to me that it would be anything more than the usual reminder of his love. Imagine my surprise when he, at the end, put his cell phone in one pocket and reached into the other with his opposite hand. I gasped and my hands covered my immediately crying eyes as Ryan lowered himself to his knee while asking me to do him the honor of being his wife. I sobbed. Then I sobbed some more. I lowered myself down because my legs no longer worked. He slid a ring on my finger while I still sobbed. Eventually he asked “So is that a yes?” Absolutely it is Ryan! Yes! Yes! Yes! • We had talked about being married most of our relationship…probably since our second date haha! But with our busy lifestyle and commitments to other things right now, I never expected that I would leave that weekend in Yountville as an engaged lady. We joke that I unknowingly planned my proposal! From the weekend getaway, perfect morning pastries, and wine tasting with family, everything was set up for a flawless proposal. I couldn’t have asked for anything better!