We had been living together since Fiona contracted COVID-19 in January. Chelsea caught it while nursing Fiona back to health, which sped up our moving-in timeline! After living together, making happy memories, and handling what life threw at us, we decided we were ready for the next step.

Chelsea wanted a simple and classic ring, while Fiona wanted something unique. So we decided to shop together to make sure we got exactly what the other wanted at a local shop near where we go to Trader Joe's all the time. Once we had the rings, we agreed to do separate proposals.

Fiona's Side

We discussed how we envisioned our proposal. Chelsea mentioned a local place where I knew exactly where I wanted to do it. At our favorite coffee shop, Mnemonic, we go to every weekend. It is a charming queer-owned place with my favorite espresso, and we like the owners. I went on a scouting trip to see if it would be okay if I proposed inside, and they asked if I had reached out on Instagram already (and I didn't….)

However, I proceeded with my plan. I was working on a cherry blossom crochet blanket for Chelsea since cherry blossoms are meaningful to her. I called it the betrothal blanket. I worked hard to finish it by the weekend because Chelsea's friend Lydia was visiting from New York. When Chelsea made a group chat, I reached out to her privately to see if she could help take pictures and think of some other details that Chelsea would like.

I almost got away without Chelsea realizing I was texting Lydia privately. Still, she grabbed my phone when she heard a text asking me to give it to her and saw her name! I tried to play it off like it was different, Lydia, but I could tell Chelsea was on to me…

On Wednesday, I went on a sneaky walk with Kimchi to drop off the blanket and the Prosecco my parents got us when we told them we were planning to get engaged. I asked if they could find some sunflowers since those were Chelsea's favorite cut flowers. I brought Chelsea back a coffee as a surprise.

On Thursday, Chelsea brought me a drink from Mnomnic as a treat. (Interesting coincidence.) I was very nervous on Friday morning, so I was up early drafting my proposal. Chelsea off-handedly mentioned that she would like to save the proposal for the future, and I had just planned on winging it.

We dressed in cute outfits, pretending nothing would happen, and Chelsea, Lydia, Kimchi, and I went to Mnemonic when the door opened. It was busier than I expected, but when we got to the door, our table was set up with the betrothal blanket and flowers, and the prosecco was out. Chelsea knew exactly what was going to happen.

So we walked to the table, and this other guest moved chairs to his table since the coffee shop was tiny. I knelt down and started reading my proposal notes when Kimchi decided to bark at another dog entering the café. While people were trying to quiet her, I grabbed and held her in one arm and my phone in the other. I was so emotional and happy that I kept crying and crying.

After Chelsea said yes, she then proposed to me! She had also reached out to the owners, choosing a particular playlist. She had them make a special drink called The Fiona, a matcha they usually don't make. While we were proposing, someone shouted, "Love wins!"

After we proposed, Kimchi was a perfect emotional support pug. We had a Prosecco and orange foam drink that the owners made, and we were both so happy that we took the day off. Lydia did a great job taking pictures and recording the whole thing, and she brought some cupcakes from sprinkles that she knew Chelsea would like. Even though there were little clues that something was up, like Chelsea's questions about what kind of drink I wished they would have or someone reaching out to the owners to propose, it was still so unique and very gay that we both chose to propose simultaneously.

Chelsea's side

As we discussed boundaries on proposal settings (for me, not in our home; for her, nowhere super public), my plan shifted from a favorite "fancy" restaurant to our favorite coffee shop. I sent the owners a DM on Instagram to ensure it was okay! Then, the planning continued. Our friend, Fiona's MOH Sarah, would help ensure the moment was photographed. But COVID changed her travel plans. Thankfully, my friend Lydia was coming to town from NYC! I texted Lydia the plan and asked for her help. Little did I know that Fiona was doing pretty much the same thing!

Fiona picked up the rings on a Thursday, giving me her ring to surprise her with a proposal. I entered the coffee shop earlier that morning to ensure my plans were set. A playlist I made on Spotify was ready to go. A matcha latte was dreamed up, especially for Fiona. And a big question mark is whether Kimchi, the pug, will join us.

Friday morning, Fiona was up incredibly early and insisted we go to Mnemonic, the coffee shop, right when it opened. I, however, wanted the initial morning rush to pass. But the suspicions rose as we both dressed in fancier than usual outfits.

As we walked to the coffee shop, pretending it was to show it to Lydia, forgetting we had brought her there before, I noticed the crochet blanket Fiona made for our engagement on a table. She beat me to it! I had to let her propose first.

She wrote down some beautiful words (just for us), and Lydia did her best to keep Kimchi away while videoing the moment. But Kimchi's guard dog personality perked up, and Fiona scooped her up so she'd stop barking at another regular's dog. Fiona proposed, and then I showed her the special drink on the menu and got down on one knee. It was a beautiful and perfect double proposal.

F&C