It all began almost ten (10) years ago when Mari brought Izzy over for Claras birthday party, a crush began....Years passed and life changes. I found myself running into Mari at the gym every weekend, on purpose....maybe. After building the courage to ask her out, after chickening out more times than I care to admit, I asked and she said yes. A few weeks pass and we had our first date, March 18, 2022.Lets talk first dates. In the history of first dates, this was epic. Conversation, laughter, smiles, and not realizing the restaurant had closed, we had spent an amazing 8 hours together. I realized that night, there was a connection that transcended lifetimes.An ancient Japanese belief is there is an invisible red thread that connects to the one we are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stitch or tangle, but will never break. That thread connects my heart to Maris.Fast forward to June 26, 2025, on a crowded beach in Huntington Beach, California, God seemed to empty the shoreline for just Mari and I. As waves crashed, I knelt down before the love of my life and proposed.On June 5, 2027, I get to marry the most giving, most loving, kindest, the woman who is my sunshine on a rainy day, my warm fire on a cool evening, the love of my life.