Let's start at the beginning...

A warm Friday night in August, Yury had just gotten off of work and met up for happy hour with Johnny and other friends at a local spot downtown Puyallup.

Johnny suggested switching locations to Purdy's Public House in Sumner and off they went.

Unbeknownst to her, Amanda on that very same Friday night, was bored at home and decided to take herself out to that very same place. Amanda walked into Purdy's simply scanning for a place to sit quietly in a crowded room. On the other end of that room, Yury saw her walk in and sit down by herself.

After a few moments by herself and just playing on her phone, Yury had given his gal-pal $20 to go buy a drink and approach Amanda and invite her to sit with them. His gal pal did just that. Amanda and the friend struck up a conversation and Amanda was invited to sit with them, but she declined and said she was going to leave. It wasn't long before Amanda had a change of heart. When she looked up again at the table where the friend and Yury were sitting, Amanda noticed another mutual friend, her girlfriend Dorothy's husband Don.

Feeling more comfortable, Amanda decided to go sit with them. Yury introduced himself and the conversation began. Later in the evening, a DJ started playing salsa music. Yury jokingly asked Amanda if she could salsa and she said yes, standing up to go dance. Yury scrambled to his feet and they went and had their first dance together, moving in sync as if they were meant to be dance partners.

As the evening died down, they exchanged phone numbers and parted ways, but not before Amanda was brave enough to invite them to her birthday party.

Yury took the route of texting her good morning texts over the next few days. As the weekend approached for the birthday party, Johnny asked what Yury's plans were, and Yury told him he was going to a private birthday party. After comparing notes, they realized they were both going to the same party. Johnny was invited by Amanda's cousin, Amber, who has known Johnny for many years. They made their way to the party together and both Amanda and Amber were shocked!

That night, Yury asked Amanda out, and she said no at first. He was very persistent though. And Dorothy was very convincing, having known Yury for a while, and told Amanda to not make a mistake and let this one go. A couple days later, they made plans to meet at Toscano's for dinner.

They had amazing conversation and really got to know each other, both being open books. After a night cap in a different place, they parted ways, but not for long.

Yury was still being the romantic that he is, texting her every morning just wishing her a good day. And by the following week, they went out on date number 2 to a little Mexican restaurant. This is where Yury made a big mistake in challenging Amanda to a round of putt-putt golf nearby. As he teased and taunted her about being the best mini golfer, Amanda made a hole in one on the first hole and then they laughed through the other 17, where Amanda ended up winning the game.

Before they parted, they made plans to go to the fair a few days later. That would be date number 3 and where Amanda knew in her heart, that Yury was the one. Of all places, it was on the ferris wheel. There was just something about him she felt in her heart was real and right. Yury was feeling it too.

After the fair, they had one more happy hour date at a local restaurant near Amanda's home. That evening, was when Mr. Romantic Yury, borrowed a pen and paper from the waitress, where he made an old school move... He wrote on the piece of paper "Will you be my girlfriend?" with two boxes for Yes or No. He folded it and slid it over to her with the pen. Amanda opened it up, laughed at the treasured reminisce of childhood times, and checked YES!

Many adventures and laughter later, in the same place where they met, on June 14, 2024, Yury proposed to Amanda in front of family, friends and really the entire restaurant.

Life every day together is nothing but laughter, talking, being silly together and making memories. They are so excited for this next adventure of being husband and wife...