How We Met
Drew and I met initially through mutual friends at work around 2013 in Las Vegas, NV. We both actually moved to Las Vegas within months of each other in 2011 – him from California, myself from Texas. We started hanging out in similar settings, showing up to the same outings, and even work meetings. We occasionally made small talk, but nothing more.
In 2016, Drew sent me a Facebook message (lol) asking for my phone number. After a few text exchanges, we made plans to meet up for drinks and eventually went on our first official date for sushi and spent the next day watching ALL of the Star Wars movies. That’s how I knew I liked him. :) Since then, we’ve shared our love for traveling, Disneyland, attending as many concerts as possible, sporting events, cheering against eachother in football and so much more. There is no one else I can imagine doing all of my favorite things with.
How They Asked
Sunday, August 25th, 2019 was the best surprise of my life. My parents were visiting from Texas and we had gone to the George Strait concert the night before. I secretly was hoping that Drew would propose at the concert since T-Mobile Arena is a sentimental place to us, but when it didn’t happen, I just assumed he would propose in Disneyland (another favorite place of ours) a few months later. We had planned dinner with a family friend, Allan, who is a casino host (relevant) at Caesars Palace. Drew and I had also decided to do a staycation at the hotel since we had both taken the next day off with my parents in town.
Backstory – I always thought I would be able to tell when Drew was going to propose because he can’t keep a secret EVER and he’s so easy to read! He completely threw me off that day because he was his normal self. He convinced me to pack a bag and get ready for dinner in the hotel room. My parents met us as the hotel and after we were ready, we made our way to dinner. While walking to the restaurant, my mom casually made a comment to me that Allan’s mom and a friend would be joining us for dinner. We were sat in a private dining room at Old Homestead Steakhouse and a photographer came by asking to take a photo.
My mom let him know we were waiting on two more guests but asked him to come back. Allan then told us that he had entered my parents and me in a casino promotion and we would be receiving a text if we won. At that point, Allan excused himself to meet his mom at the parking garage. A few minutes later, Drew also excused himself to go to the restroom. I looked down at my phone and had a text from an unknown number. “Congratulations Aliesha Brown, you are the Grand Prize Winner for “August Dreams.” We will contact you in the next 72 hours. Please be sure to have your ID and Caesars Rewards number available.”
I was so excited when Allan came back a few moments later, I ecstatically showed him my phone saying I won. I kept asking him what the prize was. I then heard Drew say “This is your prize!” I turned around and he was on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was ugly crying so hard, the photographer (who ended up not being apart of the restaurant, but someone that Drew had hired for the proposal) captured the entire moment. I was so incredibly surprised and happy that I completely forgot to answer him! Drew even asked “Uhhhh, are you going to say yes?” *FAIL* It was such a happy moment; I was so happy that my parents were there to witness the proposal, and Drew’s parents surprised me by showing up as well!
They were Allan’s mom and friend. ;) After we got our family photos, we had a champagne celebratory toast and then we got to take proposal pictures outside. I’m so happy Drew arranged for this – all of the photos showed our pure happiness (and black eyes from crying my mascara off.) I remember not even being able to eat dinner because I was so excited.
At the end of dinner, Drew’s mom asked if I wanted to try Vanderpump Cocktail Lounge for after-dinner drinks. I of course said yes. When we made our way to the lounge, I was surprised AGAIN with all of our closest friends who were in on the secret and there to celebrate us. I couldn’t contain my happiness. I will never forget how amazing that day was. Drew made a point to have our families and friends included in such a special day for us. He truly outdid himself and I cannot wait to marry the man of my dreams!
