How We Met
It all started with a beer pong game almost 9 years ago. Anthony and I met when we were second years at college. He went to UCLA, and I went to UC Berkeley. During the last few days of my winter break, I decided to go to a UCLA party with one of CAL friends. Little did I know that I would be meeting my future husband.
Anthony likes to think that he had the upper hand while we were playing beer pong. Of course, he wanted to show off his skills to catch my attention. Unfortunately, he was competing with three of his other friends. At the end of the games (beer pong and snippets of flirtation), Anthony found a smooth way to ask for my number.
We’ve been together for 8 and half years now. It hasn’t always been fun and games though. Starting off long distance for a young couple had its challenges. We were together at such a young age. We surely had a lot more growth we needed to do in terms of our goals and aspirations. After 2 years of long distance, we sadly broke up. But 10 months later, we found our way back together. That was the moment we knew that we would make this relationship work no matter what it took.
How They Asked
Now to the proposal. I can honestly say that if I didn’t find myself in the health field, I would have tried to be a detective. I somehow always ruin surprises… partly because I investigate. However, Anthony pulled off such a great surprise proposal. We traveled to Punta Cana in the Dominica Republic to relax from an extremely rough year for me. I’m type A so I wanted to plan everything, but Anthony said he’s got all our excursions and dinners covered. That was a thoughtful surprise in itself! After two days of adventure, I was ready to relax and lounge on the beach at the Majestic Royal. Anthony said that he had a surprise for me. Of course my mind immediately jumped to, “IS HE GOING TO PROPOSE?!” But I had asked him a plethora of times prior to departure. To my dismay, he said no every single time.
Anthony does photography and videography on the side so I knew we would at least be taking pictures. I tried to weasel some information out of him by asking him which dress I should wear (the most casual dress I had vs. the nicest dress I brought with me). He says the nicest dress since we’ll be taking pictures. I ask again if he’s going to propose, and again he said no.
We got ready and headed to the front lobby to get picked up. Anthony asked me to close my eyes, but his request came 5 seconds late because I saw a van coming up the driveway that read, “Helidosa Helicopter Xcursionswe’re “WE’RE GOING ON A HELICOPTER RIDE.” Okay, last time, but I asked, “Are you going to propose?!?” And for the final time he said no.
As we step into the helicopter, my mind is running in circles. Anthony knows that I hate flying so my thoughts teeter between, “What if the plane crashes and is he going to propose?” I dared not to ask. The view from the helicopter was gorgeous. Beautiful greenery from the trees and the water was sparkling blue. Before we landed, Anthony asked, “Baby, will you promise me that you’ll keep your eyes closed?” This was it. This was it. I kept my eyes closed. Asked only 1 question. And uncontrollably smiled.
Anthony took my hand and led me to a specific spot on the beach. He asked me to open my eyes. My knees got weak, and I fell into his arms.Next thing I knew, he was down on one knee in front of a heart shaped sign in the sand, asking me to marry him. Yes. A million times yes.
I called all my friends and family to tell them the good news. But guess what? They already knew. As we landed at LAX Airport, Anthony told me that he had another surprise for me. My parents were supposed to pick us up from the airport, but I checked my mom’s location and she was nowhere near any terminal. Anthony confiscated my phone. The butterflies in my stomach started to flutter again.
I tried to calm my nerves down and suspected that he planned a lunch for both of our families to meet. However, Anthony COMPLETELY surprised me as we pulled up to Brennan’s in Culver City and were met my all our friends and family. I had no idea. He even went above and beyond and had my cousin help set up the place with a photobooth, decorations, food and desserts. I couldn’t contain the tears. I loved every single moment of Anthony’s proposal. We will be getting married on our 10-year anniversary in 2020!
