The Girlfriend Proposal. Alfredo guided me by telephone to meet him at the end of Manhattan Beach Pier where I found him standing as tall and handsome as ever, proudly holding a sign with checkboxes that read yes, no or maybe (in Spanish) asking me to be his girlfriend (see the paint & brush below).

The Girlfriend Proposal Continues. With the help of my dear friend, then Phi Sigma Sigma sorority sister (My Lil), he invited my friends and his to join us at our favorite stomping grounds in Manhattan Beach called Baja Sharzees and created an opportunity for the two circles to meet and celebrate our unity (no pictures taken). The moment was as romantic as ever.

My early introduction to Southern California's wine country. A picture perfect moment at South Coast Winery on one of the first few times he introduced me to wine tasting in Temecula.

Something told me I'd be his forever plus one.

Ringing in the first of many years together and a lifetime to go.

Big Bear. One of our most frequent vacation destinations during the early years of our relationship.

His first birthday with me. I surprised him with a trip to the happiest place on earth and an overnight stay at Paradise Pier Hotel now called Pixar Place Hotel (fun fact: he still has the complementary pen).

A defining moment. 6-months into our relationship we invested in a timeshare in exchange for this 7-Day roundtrip trip to Hawaii.

Our first trip to San Francisco at Oracle Park. Little did we know it would be the first of many matchups we'd get to see. Nor that a career move of a lifetime would bring us back to The City where he would one day propose in marriage.

Los Cabos San Lucas, Baja California. Yet another timeshare perk.

Cancun Mexico at XPlor. One of our most memorable trips.

Chichén Itzá, Mexico.

Puerto Rico.

New Years Eve at Baja Sharkeez, Hermosa Beach.

Rosarito, Baja California, for my birthday.

Our first game at Dodger stadium.

Dorothy and the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz.

Ringing in another new year.

Camping at Cachuma Lake.

The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, Ca.

Miami, Florida. Birthday getaway.

Potato Chip Rock Trailhead (Mount Woodson). Poway, Ca.

Crypto.com Arena (formerly STAPLES Center).

Snow Summit. Big Bear, Ca.

Seven Magic Mountains. Las Vegas Nevada.

Mana Concert. The Forum. Inglewood, Ca.

Fallbrook, Ca. A themed turning of age birthday celebration.

UFC 246. Connor McGregor vs Donald Cerrone. The fight was over in 40 seconds. Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nido's BackYard. Oakland, Ca. a couple of months after we moved to the East Bay.

On the Ferry. In the background The Bay Bridge, SF, Ca. on the way to see the Dodgers play the Giants at Oracle Park.

Riverwalk District in Reno, Ca.

The Gum Wall. Seattle, Wa. Our roadtrip in the Pacific Northwest.

Capilano suspension bridge park. Vancouver, Canada.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).

Fentons. Oakland, Ca. This ice cream shop is located not to far Pixar Animation Studios and was featured in one of our all time favorite Pixar films, UP.

The Proposal. San Francisco, Ca. with views of the East Bay Bridge in the background (visible from our Emerville apartment rooftop; the bridge was symbolic to our new beginning in the Bay Area). I had absolutely no clue it was coming, until it was here. I was completely in shock. I later found out through close friends that he had the ring since the start of the year...and was waiting for the right time to do it. Not pictured, we had two dear friends visiting, actually three if you count the baby that was brewing, who helped coordinate the night and capture the moment, quite beautifully as I might add. Restaurant goers at the patio who witnessed the proposal cheered and applauded and our waiter greeted us with a champagne toast as we returned to our table for dinner at EPIC Steak.

Tower Bridge. London, UK.

On our way to House of Prime Rib. San Francisco, Ca.

Last Day at our studio apartment. Emeryville, Ca.

City Hall. San Francisco, Ca.