How We Met
It’s kind of funny because we were in each other’s lives before we ever met. We went to the same preschool, we were in the same 6th-grade art class, but never formally met until we were 17 years old. In fact, I met his father & older sister before I met him. His father was driving several of us home from a church trip and we happened to sit next to each other in the car. I hadn’t spoken to him the entire week, but that night we couldn’t stop talking. I didn’t think I’d see him again after that, but one of my close friends became a mutual friend of his, so the three of us continued to spend time together.
We were hanging out at a restaurant one night when I left to use the restroom. My friends utilized that time to get him to confess to having had a crush on me for several months. He asked me on a date shortly after, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. Now we live together in a little studio apartment in San Diego. He’s an EMT training to be a paramedic, and I’m a 1-on-1 instructional signing aide for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students throughout the county.
How They Asked
My good friend Malia is a professional photographer who specializes in couples/family photos in Southern California. The week before, she told me she would be taking family photos in Balboa Park and asked if we could hang out afterward. We set the date and decided to visit the Museum of Us. Hunter is also great friends with Malia and asked if he could join, as we live very close to Balboa Park and love spending our days visiting the museums.
Once we arrived, I found it slightly suspicious that Malia (a photographer), Hunter, and I were all spending time together at one of my favorite places. I suspected a proposal, but because one of my best friends Madeline was visiting Montana, I knew he wouldn’t propose without her there. As we entered the museum, a tour guide approached us and asked if we wanted a free tour of the Museum’s bell tower. I’ve always wanted to tour the tower, so I happily agreed.
When we made our way up to the top, Hunter brought me out to the balcony, and that’s when I knew. He popped the question, and Malia captured the moment beautifully. Suddenly, he brought out a pair of binoculars and told me to find the botanical garden. There, my family and friends were gathered, waiting to celebrate. My friend Madeline had been incredibly deceptive and was posting vacation photos on her Instagram that were 3 days old. My mother is a former wedding coordinator and had curated the picnic of my dreams. After that, my friends and I got dinner at our favorite local spot, Donna Jean, and toasted to the special occasion. I am not the type to be easily surprised, but his careful planning blew me away.
