Tamara and David met each other on Birthright, a non-profit program that gives the opportunity for young adults to visit Israel, in December of 2015. They hit it off instantly, and spent the next 10 days getting to know each other while exploring Israel. As the end of the trip approached, they wondered how could this work? Tamara was living in Austin, finishing Graduate School at The University of Texas & David was working in New York City. Was this too crazy? They took any and every opportunity to talk – FaceTime, phone calls, unlimited texting – and 3 visits by February. But whose counting? They knew they had something special. Over the next year and half, they began traveling back and forth to see each other, putting their best and wildest feet forward to make long-distance work. In November of 2017, David made the big move down South to make Austin home with Tamara!

If you know David at all, you can't be surprised that every second and every detail of "The Day" was planned out. Part I: David had told me he needed professional headshots to be taken for work. He knew I had a couple of photographer friends, and asked me to reach out to book a photo shoot. So, I booked what I thought would be professional headshots for David. Part II: David was already going to be dressed up for his "headshots", but how was he going to get me dressed up!? Most of you know I teach, and I would do anything in the world for my students. On the weekends, I tutor and was hellbent on not missing my session on that particular Saturday. David connected with the student's mom, and got her in on the plan - instead of tutoring, there was going to be a surprise dress-up birthday party for her daughter and she really wanted me to be there. Naturally, I told David I couldn't miss it, and so, I fully believed I had a party to attend right after David finished his headshots. Part III: Here we are, at Lou Neff Point, a beautiful scenic overlook of Austin's skyline right off the Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail. I'm standing off to the side while David and the photographer are taking headshots. David briefly steps aside to fix his shoes and the photographer urges me to take some solo shots because "it's a beautiful day and I look cute". After I awkwardly stood by myself posing for photos, David walked up and we took a couple photos together. Next thing I know, David's holding my hands and looking me in the eyes. He then says, "You know why we're here", and gets down on one knee and proposes! Part IV: After the sweet proposal and engagement pictures around the park, David told me we were headed to the JW Marriott for lunch. What I thought was going to be an intimate afternoon with just David, turned out to be a celebration with about 60 of our closest family and friends from near and far! It was truly the most memorable and meaningful day ever!