Erik and Bakura met during their freshman year of high school in English class and PE. On the first day of the second semester, the PE teacher struggled to pronounce Bakura's unique name. Erik, having overheard, pronounced it perfectly, prompting Bakura to flash a surprised smile. She later mentioned she was impressed, as most people couldn’t pronounce it correctly. From that moment, they became note-passing pros in English, exchanging jokes, homework tips, and bits of their lives on scraps of paper. In PE, they often teamed up for activities, challenging each other in friendly competition. These moments of laughter and support laid the foundation for a strong friendship and relationship that grew over the years.

On June 1st, 2024, I planned something unforgettable at the Water Lantern Festival in Sacramento. With lanterns glowing on the water and the evening sky setting the perfect scene, I was ready to ask the most important question of my life. What she didn’t know was that I had been secretly planning everything with my best friend—and now best man—Johnathan. From timing to the perfect way to pop the question, he helped me make sure every detail felt just right. As part of the festival, we were given blank lanterns to decorate. I wrote out my proposal on mine and handed it to her to read before we set it afloat together. Right before she finished reading, I quietly got down on one knee. She gently placed the lantern into the water, and when she turned around, there I was—ring in hand, heart racing, asking her to spend forever with me. It was everything I imagined—intimate, meaningful, and a moment we’ll never forget.