Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate Mark 10:9 Let me take you on a journey on how this love story of ours first began. Marian and I did not know each other but lucky for us, we had multiple friends in common. Because of these mutual friends, destiny found a way to bring us together. Marian one day posted a story on her social media that we both agreed on. This post struck us both at the core, with a message pertaining to not worrying about marriage and instead focusing on traveling the world. I worked up the courage to message her asking her to, “Please tell my mom this.” This made her laugh and who knew this would be the introduction that set our lives on a course together. Due to the world pandemic in full swing, we started talking and learning everything we could about each other since all we had then was time. The seed of our relationship was planted. It grew into becoming close friends where we spent our first date at a park eating pizza, reading, and biking. This date wouldn’t match up to our usual “date standards”, but it was a magical day that I will remember till my last dying breath. At the end of the date, as I was driving us back to drop her off at home, I looked over at Marian and realized this woman will forever have my heart. From that day forward we have been inseparable, never walking alone, supporting each other through good times and bad, and looking to continuously water the seed of our relationship until it grows into a magical love story.

Every woman has a fairytale proposal while every man looks to make that dream a reality. This is that story. Nothing in life is better than a trip to the unknown filled with love, romance, and surprises. Our trip started by landing in Hawaii, followed by an epic proposal with all our loved ones there. The proposal was kept very hush hush from everyone. I told Marian that we were going on a “short vacation” and that was all that was shared. It wasn’t until we touched down in Hawaii that she realized where we were. She was overjoyed with happiness and couldn’t believe I kept this quiet. During the trip, one day in particular stood out and will be remembered for eternity. An amazing lunch was planned for the two of us, accompanied by a photo shoot to document the trip. The view of this shoot was one you would read about in a book. The sand and the ocean combined with the mountains in the background were breathtaking. This was it. It’s now or never, I thought. Our photographer suggested we take solo shots and asked Marian to face the ocean looking up at the night sky. As she was facing the ocean, the photographer then asked her to turn back around. When she turned around I was on one knee holding the ring in my hand. “Will you marry me?” I asked. Marian could hardly control herself and immediately shouted “YES” so loud it sent shock waves across the distant ocean. We embraced each other like two soulmates who finally found each other. As we made our way up the beach, all Marian’s family jumped out to surprise her and congratulate us, to which she had no idea they were there. She couldn’t believe they flew all the way here to Hawaii and no one told her anything. That is when the plan was finally shared with her. I told her that I have been planning this for months and asked her parents two months before the proposal for her hand in marriage. The rest of the trip couldn’t have been more perfect with so many laughs, love, and cherished memories.