We met January 31st 2019 at a bar in Los Angeles. Out of all places we met literally at the bar. Must we tell you we also both don’t drink.

If you ask Natalie:
Phillip came up to me and said “I like your style” to which I replied “thanks” and quickly turned around. Phillip then walked away. Shortly after I could still see Phillip from the corner of my eye just staring at me with such laser focused eyes. I proceeded to just ignore him (I know, not nice). Minutes later his best friend comes over to talk to a friend of mine and what do you know? They find out they actually know the same people! Phil then attempted to talk to me again. Which I was more open to conversing with him, given that I now knew he wasn’t just some creeper. We then talked and talked and talked and then he asked me for my number. Which if you know Phillip you know he doesn’t write down numbers, he memorizes them. He threw me off and I was quite intrigued. Smart guy, positive as well as he kept telling me I would pass my board exams and to trust myself. Later that night I agreed to go out and eat with him sometime during the week. I emphasized “As a friend and to take my mind off of studying for the boards” which he agreed. As I showed up to our outing he was dressed so sharp and looked absolutely handsome. I however, was severely underdressed. No kidding. He smiled and said it was okay. I left him that day feeling so safe, protected, understood, and valued. It was enough for me to keep wanting to see him. I fell inlove thereafter. I loved him then and even more now.

If you ask Phillip:

On Thursday, January 31st, 2019, I decided to celebrate my early birthday by hitting a 90s dance event in LA with two friends. Shortly after arriving, my good friend Bryan Cartago felt out of sync with the vibe and wanted to leave. Reluctantly, I agreed, and we ended up bar-hopping, finally landing at Clifton’s in downtown LA. The night was low-key until I noticed an exceptionally stunning woman standing at the bar with her friends. I found myself stealing glances at her, debating whether or not to strike up a conversation.

Back on New Years eve at a club in Long Beach in 2006, I’d made a resolution to be more assertive when courting women face to face since no women were courting me, like ever. With nervous butterflies, I walked up to the bar where Natalie was standing with her back to me and said, “Excuse me,” as she turned around. “You have great style. Are you from LA?” “Thanks. Yes, I’m from LA,” she replied curtly before turning back to her friends. Used to rejection, I wasn’t surprised but felt a bit deflated. I turned my attention to the dance floor, letting my mind go blank for a moment before resuming the night.

As the evening progressed, I found myself continually drawn to Natalie, who seemed to be illuminated as she interacted with her friends. Sensing my gaze, I decided to hover near her group, hoping for another chance to connect. That opportunity came when her friend Ruth Ake asked me to take a group picture. I gladly agreed and after snapping the photo, Ruth and I chatted briefly. Seizing the moment, I approached Natalie again to ask how her night was going. She remained guarded, offering polite but brief responses, clearly unimpressed. Bryan, ever the supportive wingman, would swing by occasionally to drop subtle compliments about me. As the night wound down, I asked for Natalie’s Snapchat. She surprised me by saying, “Why don’t you just get my number?” I suggested we go out the next day to give her a break from studying. The next day, nervously awaiting her response, I assumed she would ignore my text. To my delight, she didn’t, and we went to get crepes in the Valley. I showed up dressed in a leather jacket, while she arrived in plain workout clothes. We officially started dating on March 17th, 2019 and I knew within that first month that I was going to marry this woman.