A group of New York and Boston friends decided to go down to Miami on vacation for an Electronic Music Festival. My good friend Niebs from Michigan let us know that his best friend from high school, Jared, whom had visited us at Michigan was also going. At the time, Jared was living in San Francisco, he was going with a big group of SF friends and we decided that we would all meet up when we got there. Even better, they had a facebook group where they would talk about what they wanted to do and which artists they wanted to see. Jared invited us into that group and immediately I surveyed the crowd and for the first time laid eyes on Elysse's FB pic and profile. I thought, oh wow, I'm excited to meet her in person!

Rak and I got down to Miami, met up with Wis and crew in Miami, the land of sunshine, fun and beautiful people. We immediate grabbed some brews and headed to the beach.

The first day of the festival was a blast, nothing like I'd ever seen, it was magical. 3/4 of the way through we randomly ran into Jared and his crew at a popular dj stage. Jared, tried introducing us around but everyone waved and was too into the music to really say much. Then all of the sudden these 2 blonde balls of energy burst out from behind us, they hopped over like bunnies, gave Jared a hug and disappeared further into the SF group. Jared hastily introduced us as they bounced by. It was Elysse and her best friend Annie. Elysse was wearing a tank top with photos of 3 pairs of sunglasses, I was wearing a black tank tucked into my shorts, and I thought wow she seems cool!

That night, Jared, Rak, Wis & I were in a cab and I asked Jared, is it cool if I talk to Elysse? He said, of course, but good luck! So I asked if he could please reintroduce me to her because I didn't think she'd remember me from that day.

She didn't.

He reintroduced me and we began talking, laughing and dancing.

I let Elysse borrow Rak's sweatshirt because she was cold.

The next morning I awoke to Dylan snoring, and Rak asking where his sweatshirt was because it had his headphones in it. I forgot to get it back from Elysse. Ooops! He wasn't happy at all and said that she could not send it back via mail, that I'd have to go get it now! Our flight left that night around 6pm.

So I texted Elysse and told her the situation and that I was on my way to her hotel. Good thing I did that! We had breakfast with Annie & Jared and then sat in the lobby as she laid on my lap for 3-4 hours just cuddling in the lobby couch.

It was time to fly home and we were very sad, I told her that I was not looking for a relationship and that we should play things by ear...

Well, cut to 6 months later and I was moving back to the bay to live with her in SF

After a weekend partying in the Hampton's with our best friends, we jetted off to Paris on an overnight flight. We landed in Paris before noon, walked around the city, and sat at a legendary cafe to take in the culture. Afterwards, we went back to the hotel for a nap.

That evening I had made plans to have drinks along the Seine River on a private boat, but arranged this to be a surprise for Elysse. I told her we were going on a 70 person champagne cruise along the river.

When it was time to get up, Elysse suggested we skip the cruise and flipped over to continue napping until dinner. Skipping was not an option. I thought no way, we need to go! So I began petting her head, telling her it would be the most amazing experience! Finally, I had convinced her to get up!

Upon arriving to the Seine river, the uber driver asked where the cruise was because all that was there was a small Venetian wooden boat with only a Captain and a Skipper. On board waiting was red roses and Moet on ice.

We cruised down the river while drinking Moet and listening to our favorite music. We turned around and when we got close to the Eiffel Tower, I put "Eyes" by Kaskade on, a special song.

I started telling Elysse how I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her and she started saying it back to me not realizing what was happening. Then I got down on one knee and it all sunk in, I was asking for her hand in marriage. She said yes! and we cried and cruised along the river for a bit more.

When we docked, there was an uber driver waiting there for us to take to the Ciel De Paris, the tallest building in Paris where we ate and drank with a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower sparkling!