I Said Yes

How we met

Rocky and I met at the end of my 3-year “travel phase.” After adventuring off to 42 countries, I came to the realization that I wanted to share my experiences with someone special. My best friend of 18 years asked me on a random Tuesday afternoon if I was “emotionally available” to which I laughed & agreed to go on my very first blind date. Apparently a guy who she knew a long time ago wanted to take me out. After a good week of exchanging witty texts and talking on the phone for hours, my heart pounded as we set up a date and time to finally meet.

Photo Credit: JP Castaneda

My heart sunk as this stud of a gentleman stepped out to greet me and open my car door.  I was in a trance and couldn't understand why I was picturing him walking in slow motion. I felt like I was in Jr High all over again. Throughout the evening, I thought we were going to burn the place down from all the sparks going off across the dinner table. To my surprise, we both found out that we attended the same elementary school and had the same 2nd grade teacher. I never noticed because a) he was a year older than me and b) boys were yucky. Before he started 5th grade, he moved to a town 45 min south from me. It was odd because I knew I recognized his smile from somewhere. You guys, he has a niiiiiiiice smile. From that point on, he didn’t waste time asking me to meet his whole family, be his girlfriend and tell me how he truly felt about me. Apparently, he innocently stalked my Instagram page for a good week... or so he says. (Thank God for DM's) But I knew he was a keeper from Day One when my BFF, the one who set us up, told me that Rocky texted her and thanked her for letting him meet me. *swoon*

how he asked

It felt like a normal Saturday morning when I asked him if he wanted to go for a walk. He seized his opportunity and suggested we go later that evening. Throughout the day, he kept so calm and collected that I never had a thought in my mind of what was about to happen. We drove to one of our favorite places along the water with miles of green grass and pillars as tall as buildings.

Once we got to Chambers Bay, he asked me if my hands were cold. I said, “No”. But he insisted he grab me gloves from his trunk (where he hid the ring). We made a beeline towards the sunset and then he stopped me and started getting down on one knee. Next thing I knew, his cousin, who is a photographer, jumped out from behind the pillar and started capturing a moment I would never forget.

I never thought I would be so blessed in my life to have stumbled upon someone who knew my heart and how to love it. Now, a little bundle of joy named Marley Jo has blessed us with her presence!

Well, that's our cheesy love story! Now, I want to hear yours. Drop your story in the comments below. In my opinion, the cheesier the better. I'm a romantic sap. Sorry, not sorry. ​

I want to thank the incredibly talented photographer behind these priceless pictures- JP Castaneda.