"Sara!"

She froze mid-step, like a deer in headlights. Was that my name? She thought to herself. I'm wearing headphones, and I still heard my name. Was that really for me? She turned her head slowly and saw a guy waving at her from across the park. He was wearing a backward baseball cap and a Henley and was standing next to an oversized truck. She waved back a little embarrassed — How loud is this guy?. "Hey! Chris, right?"

Chris smiled. My name never sounded better than when it came from her lips just now. He was already smitten by her beauty. He tried to hide his nervousness as he walked over and introduced himself, but it just came out as being loud with overly intense eye contact. "Sara! Thanks for taking the time and risk to meet me in person, despite this pandemic and all that. But hey, just to play it safe, I brought separate picnic blankets, separate snacks, separate wine cups, and even have walkie-talkies in case we can't hear each other."

He’s so prepared, despite the backward cap, Sara thought, amused. But then Chris whipped up some red solo cups. Nope! “How about these instead?” Sara held out two glass mason jars and smiled. He was embarrassed, but they both knew this was the start of something great.

That afternoon in Sylvan Park, they talked, laughed, and were merry, and before long, it was nightfall. It wasn't enough, and so they planned to meet again the following weekend. "How about we go for a hike? Maybe meet at 6 AM?" Asked Sara.

"That's kinda late, shouldn't we meet at 5am instead?" said Chris with a bit of sarcasm.

"Perfect! I wanted to go earlier, but was afraid to ask!"

Alas, Chris isn't good at sarcasm, but it didn't matter. To him, it just meant that the wait to see her again was that much shorter.

That wasn't the only thing to backfire about that hiking date. Sara suggested the location and during their hike, she went on in detail to explain how beautiful it was and that this was her favorite hike in the area. She went on to describe how she loved the contrast of the colors, the overall ambience of the fog that rolled in and just the she loved the fall colors and the contrasts it all created.

"Ah. Now I know this place is beautiful."

What an awkward response... After a long pause, Chris continued. "So, I'm colorblind, so I can't see those colors. But I appreciate you explaining it to me. Even if I can't see it, I can appreciate it and will remember that our second date was somewhere as magically beautiful as you are.” Sara felt embarrassed. Did this just backfire?

Later on that date, Sara insisted on paying for her own cup of coffee. Chris then insisted she could open the door herself since she is independent and can get her own coffee. Nope! That joke backfired. Alas, Chris should just stay away from attempting sarcasm.

Despite this, they agreed to a third date, and decided it was Chris's turn to plan. They went on a motorcycle ride to the coast and enjoyed the sunset together. At this point, Sara said, "Stop being so compatible and romantic with me. Any more, and my brain and heart can't handle it, and I'll run away."

Before long, Sara asked Chris to be her boyfriend. Chris was stunned, so it took a while to respond. ”Yes. I will be.” That day, Chris knew saying yes was the best decision he ever made.

And it wasn't the last best decision he would make with her. Before long, they started growing their family together, welcoming Chester and Ellie, their two cats. While adopting them, the shelter informed Chris and Sara that their cats would have about a twenty year lifespan. Sara looked absolutely shocked, and for a moment, Chris thought she was gonna change her mind. Yet Chris couldn’t help but think They might live up to 20 years old?!? Sweet, so If she doesn’t run away now, then I know Sara will be around for at least another 20 years.

Eventually, vaccines started rolling out, so Sara and Chris jumped on a plane as soon as they could. Their first trip together was to Hawaii. Neither told their bosses, but since it was remote work, it was easier to get away with. They went to Oahu, went on hikes, snorkeled with sharks, and took the occasional meeting. It felt like they were in heaven together. Returning home to California though was bittersweet. It was great to come home, but it doesn’t feel like home as they took Uber’s from the airport to separate apartments...What are we doing?

They moved in together shortly after. Their stuff worked well together, such as Sara's mason jars and Chris's Dyson. Sorry Dyson, Chris thought, but if a fire breaks out, I’m rescuing Sara and the cats first. Everyday they lived together with Chester and Ellie, and every day they fell more in love.

Then, on April 12, 2024, it was time for Sara to be stunned at a question that Chris asked. Chris and Sara were walking around Sylvan park with Chester and Ellie on leashes. As they walked near the spot of their first picnic, Chris bent down to adjust Chester's harness, but instead of standing up afterwards, he dropped to one knee, opened a small box, and looked Sara in the eye and said. "Will you marry me?"

Sara's eyes widened. “Now?” she asked, her voice trembling. “You choose now? Today? Today, of all the days? Is this real? “

Chris smiled, but his nervousness came out in overly intense eye contact again. “Yes. Today. And Yes. Now. This is real.”

There was a pause, and then tears welled up in Sara's eyes. She too fell to her knees, leaned in and gave Chris a hug. “Yes," she whispered, "A thousand times yes."

Now, they want to make it official and celebrate their love with all those closest to them. Back to Oahu, where their first trip was.On April 11, 2025, a year after they became engaged, they are inviting you to their celebration at Waimea Valley with all those closest to them.

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