First Date:

I swiped right on Brian on Bumble and a week later Brian ended up swiping right on me and found a match. We decided to go on our first date on February 15, 2021 and meet at the Orange Circle (Old Town Orange). When I met Brian, I wasn’t sure about it but something inside me said “give this a shot and see where it goes”. We went to a bar for a drink and appetizer. Brian suggested pork belly tacos and I never had pork belly before so I was down to try it. When the tacos came they were pretty big tacos. I took one bite of the taco (like a normal person) but then decided I didn’t want to be a messy eater on the first date and used a fork to eat some of the taco. While “trying” to eat the taco one little mishap happened for me and my fork and food went flying. Brian started laughing hard and I was just thinking “well that happened and hopefully this doesn't hurt the chance of a second date” and after the fiasco of food flying we decided to walk around. Talking about anything and everything was nice. Brian suggested grabbing dinner and went to Francoli Gourmet that had delicious italian pasta. I only ate 4 bites of my dish because I was so nervous with eating in front of Brian after what happened before. Brian noticed and then suggested getting desserts and I took that as a good sign that the date wasn’t over yet. I ended up ordering my all time favorite dessert “tiramisu” and when it came to the table I offered some to Brian and he took a bite. I asked again if he wanted any more and Brian didn’t. Within a minute Brian looked up at me and the tiramisu was completely gone. I was very happy. After dinner we continued to talk and Brian finally asked me out on an other date and I said yes. Ending the night with a good-night kiss and excitement for the next date.

1st year: Brian and I continue to date long distance during the first year (living about 1 hour away from each other). The year was filled with so many adventures and meeting each others friends and family. Going on our first big trip together to the east coast and I got to meet many of Brians important friends and family on that trip. After that trip we didn’t want to go back to the long distance and the conversations of moving in together began. We moved in together after the end of our first year and never looked back.

Mystery Dates: Within that 1st year of dating Brian introduced the “Mystery Date” into our relationship. [Mystery Date: each couple alternate turns planning a whole mystery date to surprise the other: typically would be an activity and followed by dinner] We enjoy planning these dates and truly trying to surprise and out do the other with the activity and/or dinner, the one that didn’t do the planning tries to figure out what the date would intel but either way it’s always a fun date night.

Proposal: Brian decided to do a mystery weekend for his turn and told me that we’ll be meeting up with a med school friend too. I was excited and decided not to try to figure out anything this time around and just enjoy what was planned. Brian told me that they’ll be going to an event and will need to get dressed up. I was already excited about it and kept showing Brian the outfits I was thinking of wearing and getting approval because I didn’t know what the event truly would be. The Mystery Weekend finally came and the first day Brian took me to the Getty Museum (which I loves because of my art background) and then surprised me with staying in Santa Barbara. Went out on the town and I was able to show Brian my old college location (Brooks Institute of Photography). The next day we got all dressed up and left for “the event” and I was just happy to finally see which of the medical school friends we would get to hang out with because I was told that we were meeting up with one of Brian's medical school friends. Driving towards Santa Ynez and I couldn’t for the life of her figure out what kind of “event” would be out there with med school friends but decided not to think too much about it. Drove up to Sunstone Winery and I figured we were just doing a wine tasting. Found out that we were doing a private tour and Brian excused himself to use the restroom and so I tried to stall the tour guide for Brian to come back. The tour guide just kept on going and said that Brian would catch up. I was still confused as to why we were not waiting for Brian but continue to roll with it. Next thing you know the tour guide pushed the double doors open to the barrel room and there Brian was in the center of a heart shape petals of roses and got down on one knee. Ellie said yes!

This was such a special day for me, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to be proposed to. Brian did an incredible job, and made sure that our loved ones were there to celebrate this moment with us.

Venue: Sunstone Winery

Photographer: Kyle London Photography