It's Happening!

Jordan and I met at Saint Mary’s College, where he played rugby and I played lacrosse. Being such a small school, we had seen each other in passing over the years. It wasn’t until the beginning of our senior year that Jordan finally asked me on a date. Jordan and I had been texting throughout the summer but I wasn't quite sure about this elusive Bay Area rugby player with a suped up truck and pointie side burns (no offense Matt Cardoza). He had tickets to a 49ers game and after some convincing, I agreed to go with him. What I thought would be the most uncomfortable over an hour drive to Candlestick Park turned into a small personal epiphany after learning tons of things we had in common and of course when Jordan told me his ultimate dream was to live on a ranch, have tons of animals and ride horses all day... Hook, line and sinker. We had a blast at the game and with the help of a few stadium beers, we held hands. After the game, Jordan drove me home, walked me to my door, said goodnight and gave me a kiss on the cheek (I have been swooning ever since). One date lead to a lot more, we quickly fell in love and now, 6 years later we will be saying “I Do.”

I chose Big Bear Lake, CA because it has become one of our favorite places to get away here in SoCal. We love taking our dogs up to Big Bear to hike and off-road with the Jeep. Anna Maria’s parents were also engaged in Big Bear over 30 years ago. So, if it worked for Mr. Carabini it would work for me. I also knew that there is nothing Anna Maria would love more than a Jeep involved proposal. Naturally, I thought I had the perfect plan: take Anna Maria on the first trail we did together, where there is very minimal traffic and a pull off with an incredible view of the lake. Well I should have known better, my plan of having “no plans” did not stick. Anna Maria insisted on picking a new trail that I had never been on and had no clue what the view or area I could pull off to propose. Halfway through the trail with my heart jumping out of my chest, I pulled over, jumped out of the car, nervously put the ring in my sweatshirt and stuck my new iPhone case on the window of the car and hit record. I asked Anna Maria to take a photo with me and as soon as I was about to deliver my perfectly planned speech, a giant caravan of Jeeps came down the trail along side us. I blacked out, but I was able to put something good together enough for her to ask if I was serious, cry and yell a giant “YES” from the mountain top. We began our new chapter just like that!