Destined Journey
Our Story
How We Met
We technically met in June 2019, but the universe had us playing a long game. Between 1996 and 2000, our lives likely crisscrossed all over Tucson, AZ. Michael was stationed at Davis-Monthan, while I spent summers there visiting a high school friend (and, let’s be honest, probably passing him at least once in line for coffee or something equally cosmic). Fast forward 20 years—because the universe loves a dramatic twist—and we finally connected... as friends. For a start, anyway
The Proposal
July 2024, Michael and I embarked on our very first European escapade, a pilgrimage to Italy for the 30th Anniversary Concert of Andrea Bocelli in his quaint hometown of Lajatico, nestled in the rolling Tuscan hills. Michael had grand plans to propose while we were en route to the concert, under the guise of a scenic photo op. But my inner control freak demanded we barrel straight to the concert, so when he suggested a pit stop, my Scorpio spirit responded with a resounding “No.”
We arrived at the concert, navigated the labyrinth of merchandise stands, and secured our seats. I hadn’t eaten all day, and the vegetarian sandwich I devoured tasted like it was blessed by the gods themselves. I was in culinary ecstasy. Just as I was savoring a particularly heavenly bite, Michael, with the impeccable timing of a seasoned romantic, asked if I could pause my sandwich experience for a photo op in front of the stage. My immediate thought was, “How dare you interrupt my gourmet moment?”
He approached a gentleman in front of us and kindly asked if he could take our picture. Still reveling in my sandwich bliss, I grudgingly paused my chewing, braced myself for the photo, and focused on the stage, all while plotting my triumphant return to my five-star meal. But when I turned back to Michael, he was down on one knee, holding a box that housed the most exquisite engagement ring, crafted just for me. So, it turns out my sandwich wasn’t the only thing that was a five-star experience!
By now, you’ve heard Felisha’s version of our engagement story—a tale involving a concert, a sandwich, and her incredible ability to keep us on schedule. Now, allow me to present my version, or as I like to call it, "here’s how it really went."
July 2024, Felisha and I embarked on our first European adventure—a trip to Italy for the 30th Anniversary Concert of Andrea Bocelli in his picturesque hometown of Lajatico, nestled in the rolling Tuscan hills. I had meticulously arranged for a luxury Mercedes sedan driven by a private chauffeur for the two-hour round-trip journey. What we got, however, was a Mercedes van with a private chauffeur.
As we cruised through the breathtaking scenery, I was quietly sweating bullets. Being someone who doesn’t enjoy grand public displays, I thought, “Why not pull over here, in the middle of this postcard-worthy backdrop, and propose?” The chauffeur could take our picture, and I’d pop the question. Easy, right? Well, not exactly.
I suggested we pull over for a photo. Felisha, with her laser-focused, Scorpio intensity, immediately said, “No, let’s get to the concert.” I tried again: “It would make for an amazing picture.” Her response? A quick, “Ah, no.” One last attempt? “Yeah, no.” At that point, I realized the roadside proposal dream was dead. I had no plan B—just a ring in my pocket and a determination that it had to happen that night.
When we arrived at the venue, my mind was consumed with excitement and one question, how to pull this off. We trekked about a third of a mile from the van to the concert—through actual Tuscan hills, mind you. Felisha, meanwhile, was happily strategizing which concert swag to buy and zeroing in on food options. She eventually found a “gourmet” vegetarian sandwich that she declared was blessed by the gods themselves. I, on the other hand, chose a personal pizza – typical concert quality food! Yet I wasn’t focused on eating; my brain was stuck in proposal-planning overdrive.
As we settled into our seats, I spotted an opportunity. The crowd was still sparse—perfect for a low-key, semi-intimate proposal. I noticed a gentleman sitting in front of us and asked him for a quick favor: record the proposal while pretending to take our picture. Felisha, blissfully immersed in her sandwich, barely noticed as I set everything into motion. When the moment came, I asked her to take a photo with the stage in the background. She reluctantly put down her sandwich—probably more annoyed than curious, and to be honest I had no idea if she had finished eating or not! As she led the way to the photo spot, I dropped to one knee, opened the ring box, and let the moment unfold.
Her reaction was priceless. Completely caught off guard, she was over-the-moon, as the pictures and videos clearly show. I stood up, kissed her, and hugged her tightly. The crowd, realizing what had just happened, went wild and erupted in applause and cheers. Felisha, glowing with excitement, returned to her seat to finish her sandwich—because, priorities—while I sat down beside her, ecstatic, smiling as I stared at her, and suddenly realizing I’m hungry.
The remainder of the night was almost as phenomenal. Andrea’s concert was like none other. Sure, the Mercedes van wasn’t the elegant ride I’d envisioned, yet it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Leaving the venue, Teatro del Silenzio, our driver managed to avoid traffic jams on the single lane road by taking us off-roading through the Tuscan hills. So, if you ever want to experience Tuscany like a rally driver, I highly recommend a van. When we got back to Florence, well after midnight, our chauffeur had one final surprise for us. He took us to an incredible scenic overlook with a breathtaking view of Florence. The spot was buzzing with life—a mix of people enjoying the cooler evening air, a basketball tournament in full swing, and even a street rave with live music. It was a magical ending to an unforgettable day—truly a night to remember!