Trey and I had a tradition—every summer, we’d drive down to the Outer Banks, get all dressed up, and take sunset pictures. So when he invited me on a spontaneous trip to Corolla, I didn't think twice. It felt like one of our usual adventures. But little things started to feel… different. My mom was unusually invested in my outfit choices, insisting I try everything on just an hour before we were supposed to leave. Looking back, she knew how much having the perfect outfit would mean to me in the moment when Trey asked the question.

As we wandered around town, Trey seemed restless—nervous even—glancing over his shoulder like he was hiding something. When we pulled up to our hotel, alarms immediately went off in my head. The room was massive—far more than two people would ever need. A full kitchen, a living room, a dining room… my gut whispered, this isn’t just any getaway. And then I saw it: a massive bag of Hi-Chews on the counter. My brain froze, and I called out instinctively, “Yushi?” Suddenly, screams erupted, and I was tackled to the ground by Yushi herself! I blinked and realized I was surrounded—Therese, Alex, Ana, and of course, Yushi, who was still sitting on top of me. At that moment, my heart screamed, it’s happening.

After greeting my girls, Trey rushed me to get ready for sunset, anxiety practically oozing from his every move. We raced to the beach. During the drive down, Trey casually mentioned that his uncle would be meeting us there so we could finally get professional pictures for a change. It was so obvious—but I played along. Once we arrived, we got a few beautiful couple photos, and soon after, my girls met up with us so we could take fun group shots. As sunset approached, we made our way to the edge of Janet’s Pier, the sky painted in hues of gold and rose. That’s when Trey got down on one knee and proposed. I immediately burst out screaming, “I knew it!”

Just when I thought the moment couldn’t be more perfect, I saw my family quietly watching nearby, tears in their eyes and smiles on their faces. Being proposed to surrounded by the people who mean the world to me—my closest friends and family—was everything I’d ever dreamed of. That day was pure magic. It’s a memory I’ll treasure forever as one of the most beautiful moments in our story.