How we met: Darrin and I worked in the same building – I worked in a storefront studio, and he had an office within the interior of the building. I started working there in 2010 and never crossed paths with Darrin until two years later when the studio beside mine became available and he moved in next door.
Our cars actually “met” before we did after a Google street-view search revealed we would park right across from each other almost everyday since I began working there. The first time I met him, he walked into my office and said, “Hey! Can you tell me what the postal code is here?” Apparently, it was different from his old office inside the building, though I thought it was just a cute way to talk to me. I did my best to pretend I wasn’t interested, but I quickly learned how persistent Darrin is when he wants something. We would talk everyday during work, after work, but it took him a couple months before I finally agreed to go out on a date. It wasn’t until my birthday, June 25 of 2012 that I realized how truly special, and genuine he really is.
As I was turning 25 that year and being my champagne birthday — 25 on the 25th — he unexpectedly drove to my house with a bottle champagne and 3 glasses; one each for us and one for my friend he knew I was with. It was so sweet! We left together shortly after and what he surprised me with next was a birthday gift I will never forget; a bunch of random gifts that were so methodically planned and unbelievably cute and thoughtful. To name a few of the long list of items were emergency make-up to keep in the car, $20 cash, an umbrella, phone charger, granola bars and other snacks, and much much more.
After every gift I opened, as I smiled and laughed with confusion, he explained on different occasions these were things I had forgotten at home from when we met until then. He remembered everything I ever mentioned and made mental notes of all of this; most of which I had forgotten even happened! This is a perfect example of the truly special person he really is. Since then, we’ve traveled a lot and continue to do so – our relationship is one heck of a trip! Darrin is my best friend, and the most caring and thoughtful person I have ever met. I am truly lucky and honored to soon be his wife and write the next chapter in our lives together traveling the world with mystery and adventure at every turn.
Darrin once told me when we started dating, “I can’t promise life with me with me will always be easy, but I promise it’ll be fun.”
He’s kept his promise and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
how they asked: Our birthdays are just 5 days apart – mine is June 25 and his June 30. We’ve decided that June 28 would be our anniversary date of when we started dating, so that week this year we wanted to make it extra special and go away for the weekend. Darrin always wanted to take me to Bermuda as the beaches there are some of the most beautiful in the world. When we arrived on June 27, I quickly saw what all the hype was about – Bermuda was breathtaking. It is such a romantic, tiny island, littered with stunning beaches and beautiful turquoise waters – everything was absolutely perfect.
The next day, Darrin was on a mission to find the “perfect” beach. We drove around in a taxi that morning until Darrin found one he was satisfied with. Like always, he wanted to make everything perfect for me, and he nailed it yet again. We ended up at Chaplin’s Bay, just a few minute walk from the famous Warick Beach; it was completely secluded and picture perfect… I’ve never seen a place so beautiful with my own eyes.
We spent the entire morning there splashing in the water and soaking up the sun, when Darrin decided to setup the camera on self-timer mode to snap a few photos of us in front of the beautiful backdrop of the ocean. This was pretty typical as ever since he bought me the camera, we set it up this way everywhere we go. Finally he had the “perfect angle” and guided me to the right spot for the picture. We posed together smiling, holding each other and then he grabbed me for a kiss and asked me, “how much do you love me?” I replied, “A lot!!”
So he asked, “how much do you love me from 1-10?” I said, “ummm 50!” And we giggled and kissed again until he dropped down on one knee, in his hand, the most beautiful diamond ring propped in a box that was a little wet from the beach. Nothing could have prepared me for this moment. I was in complete shock and disbelief, my heart racing and fighting back tears as he told me how much he loved me, and how much he wants to marry his best friend and be with me forever. I cried like a baby with my hands clasped on my face until he laughed and asked me if I wanted to try it on — I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I almost forgot about the ring! We stood there laughing and hugging as the waves crashed around us, kissing and wiping away my tears of sheer happiness. I completely forgot about the camera and had no idea he had set it up to take 300 photos every 2 seconds to make sure he captured every moment.
After that, we continued to chill on our private beach until we were hungry and decided to trek over to Warwick Beach where they coincidentally were having a Canadians in Bermuda party with a live band, drinks, and BBQ. Darrin also told the band about our recent engagement and they congratulated us on the beach along with everyone there that day cheering and clapping. It was a perfect way to end the day! Not only did I have the most amazing proposal from the man of my dreams, we also indulged in great food and celebrated with great people during what seemed to be our engagement party on the beach. We danced, we drank, and got lost in each others eyes. I am forever grateful to have these memories forever in photographs. June 28, 2014 was the best day of my life so far. I can’t imagine many days that could possibly top it, except for the day we will say ‘I do’ in the summer of 2015. Let the countdown begin!
