Our first date was at Northwood Golf Club in 2023 under the old redwoods and we quickly realized something was special. John picked the perfect breakfast spot to meet beforehand down the road. We didn't want the day to end and sat in the Northwood restaurant after golf, talking into evening twilight. Our life journeys had lined up perfectly to meet at this point.

As dates together turned into weeks together, everything felt right. It was easy to be sure about each other because we both felt how we've always wanted to feel. Seen, loved, important, valuable, deserving.

Connection was natural as months went by. So many things lined up. Rare. Special. We turned towards each other. Paced perfectly. Similarities like our temperaments, personalities, experiences, values and dreams. Common interests, while not necessary for a strong relationship, helped us bond quickly because core areas of how we spent our time before we met were spent genuinely together.

We can't believe our luck that we met.

Maybe we had to go through all of the twists and turns to meet. We were only sad when thinking about wishing we'd met earlier. It felt like we could have been middle school sweethearts. The decision was easy. Maybe it couldn't have been any sooner for reasons we'll never know. Maybe we narrowly missed meeting, and while we'd have had other lives, it wouldn't have been as good, as true to who we are, how we want to be seen, feel and grow to become. There was no hesitation we wanted to get married.

John proposed on the same golf course under the redwoods at the last hole, with family waiting close by. He picked out a stunning sapphire, Olivia's birthstone and a timeless gemstone worn throughout history for engagements, symbolizing good fortune, divine connection, protection, truth, sincerity, wisdom, devotion, intelligence, love and commitment.

We're so thankful to have found each other.