They met 10 years ago at a dive bar in Fremont and were introduced to each other by mutual friends at the time. Valerie's friend was dating Jesse's friend and thought they would be a good match. They clicked instantly and started their relationship 2 weeks later. They had already been together about 3 years and also did long distance for 3 years while Valerie was in San Diego for graduate school. When she moved back to the Bay Area; they moved in together in a house with friends/roommates and got their fur child (Rocky). After living with roommates for about a year, they decided to go out on their own and moved into their first apartment together in Livermore. On their NYC trip in 2021 to celebrate Valerie and her twin sister’s birthday, Jesse surprised Valerie and orchestrated a grand proposal at The Edge (a large skyscraper building) with their close relatives to witness/celebrate. They have been engaged ever since and have been planning their large wedding celebration to come in May.