We met online during one of the toughest times in recent memory, when it was nearly impossible to meet new people or make friends while everyone was staying indoors and social distancing. I downloaded a dating app simply to connect with others—and that’s where I met Bridgette.

Our first hangouts were simple but memorable: grabbing ice cream and watching the waves crash at La Jolla Cove. Bridgette would point out the seals and share little facts about them and the ocean. What struck me most wasn’t just her knowledge, but her curiosity—her joy in learning about everything, from the big picture down to the smallest details. That curiosity was one of the first things that captivated me.

Through the years, we’ve become one another’s steady companion. We supported each other through university—me as I pursued Architecture, and as she found the courage to change her major. We built a home together after getting engaged, and adopted Buttercup and Cosmo, who quickly became part of our little family. Our adventures have taken us across the country, where we enjoyed the beauty and sightseeing. I even had the privilege to have her visit the Philippines, where Bridgette experienced pieces of my childhood. Sharing that part of myself with her was surreal, and it remains one of my most cherished memories.

Bridgette grounds me, challenges me, and inspires me to become the best version of myself. I can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of you.

We first met around a month after I started college, it was 2020, in the middle of the pandemic and I was really struggling to adjust to all the changes. Campus was empty, so it was really hard to meet people or make friends and I was, admittedly, quite lonely. I'd never dated before and my best friend, Jasmine, decided it was time for me to put myself out there and start dating. She convinced me to download a dating app and make a profile; a week or so later I matched with Nehemiah and we started chatting. I'll never forget that first message "You know, I've never read a Stephen King book.", I had included that he was my favorite author in my profile. Over the next couple weeks we bonded over books, school, games, everything and finally agreed to meet in person.

We went on our first official date on November 11, 2020 since we both had the holiday off from work and school. We visited some local tidepools and got ice cream and we just sort of clicked immediately. In that first year or so we spent a lot of time getting takeout and watching movies in my dorm room and hanging out around the UCSD campus since most everything was closed or limited to outdoor only.

As our relationship grew, we both grew a lot as people. Nehemiah helped me a lot with navigating my struggles in my first couple years of college and supported me when I decided to change my major because I realized my goals had changed. He became my best travel buddy and a constant source of comfort for me. He has always supported me in my goals, hobbies, and dreams, no matter how far fetched or fleeting some of them have been.

We got engaged just a couple weeks after I graduated from UCSD in 2024 on a trip to Zion National Park. I quickly found out that almost all our family and friends had known for months about his plans. We moved in together shortly after, adopted our beloved cat Buttercup, survived an apartment fire, moved again to another apartment in the building, adopted our sweet Cosmo, and travelled to the Philippines all in less than 6 months. We finally settled into a comfortable routine and have been in the thick of wedding planning since then.

I am beyond excited to be marrying the love of my life and can't wait to celebrate with my closest family and friends!