How It All Began
“Words alone aren’t enough to express how lucky I feel to have you in my life. It still feels surreal that you are going to be my lifelong partner. Memories of our time together from the first day to this day are etched in my mind, clear as day.
Each day I look forward to spending time with you and the more time I spend with you, the more deeply I fall in love with you. Not only have I found my life partner, I have found my best friend, my confidant, my true love and what I believe to be my soulmate.
You complete me. I love you with all my heart - today, tomorrow and forever.”
— Adi
“To my love, my best friend, and my perfect match—your kindness, patience, and unwavering support make every day shine! Your passion for soccer (and every sport under the sun) is only rivaled by the love you show me.
Together, we’ve mastered the art of balance—I always cook, you always clean, and somehow, it all just works.
I can’t wait to share a lifetime of love, laughter, and perfectly balanced meals with you!”
— Joy
In the heart of a familiar neighborhood in San Jose, California, a small and cozy coffee shop became the backdrop for a love story.
At 9:55 AM, as punctual as ever, Joy arrived, waiting for Adi to show up. They had been chatting for weeks, and now the time had finally come to meet in person. Excited yet slightly nervous, she scanned the café, anticipation buzzing in her chest.
The moment Adi walked through the door, Joy spotted him instantly. She greeted him with a warm smile and a wave. That smile. He had seen it in her pictures, but in person, it felt different—his stomach fluttered with a feeling he hadn’t expected. It was a sign, an unspoken certainty that told him this moment was something truly special.
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, weaving through shared interests and heartfelt laughter. As they talked, they uncovered a deeper connection than either had anticipated. Their mutual love for sports became the spark that fueled their exchange, turning a simple coffee date into something far more meaningful.
As the date came to an end, Adi left the café with a heart full of hope and Joy’s image etched in his mind. He knew, with a certainty that caught him off guard, that she was someone truly extraordinary.
Meanwhile, as Joy stepped out into the crisp morning air, she thought to herself, Wow! What a passionate man! He loves soccer SO MUCH! A playful smile crossed her lips. Maybe we can do some sports dates!
Eager to see her again, Adi planned their next outing around one of his strongest suits—Topgolf. Their second date was filled with laughter, playful competition, and the kind of effortless fun that happens when two people just click. Though Joy had little experience, Adi patiently guided her, offering tips and encouragement as she took her swings. With every high-five and shared grin, their bond grew stronger.
Fast forward a few months, and their love deepened with each passing moment. Every shared meal, every whispered secret, every stolen glance brought them closer. Weekends became adventures, evenings filled with quiet intimacy. Like a fine wine, their relationship only grew richer with time.
Whether battling it out on the tennis court or simply running errands together, their love flourished in both grand and ordinary moments. Theirs is a love story that proves true companionship makes every experience more meaningful.
As they are ready to take the next step, they both know one thing for certain — "Everything’s better when you’re with me."
The Proposal
March 25, 2023
Shortly after lunch, I asked Joy if she’d be open to stopping by the PGA store so I could pick out a golf club. Testing the right one takes hours, and she was up for it. What I didn’t know was that she wasn’t feeling well. Yet, she stood by my side for over three hours, patiently helping me. This is just one of the many ways she shows who she is—kind yet strong.
Through countless moments like this, I saw time and again just how amazing she is. On that day, as she stood there cheering me on, I told myself: One day, if I’m lucky enough, I will marry this girl. At that moment, I knew—I could count on her through thick and thin.
A year later, I started brainstorming how to pop the question. It had to be a surprise, of course, but it also had to be special—more special than she could have ever imagined. The perfect opportunity arose when she mentioned she’d be visiting her parents toward the end of the year. What better place to ask her to marry me than in her hometown—a place she loved, cherished, and spoke so highly of?
A quick video call to her parents, a mix of broken Mandarin and English, and I got my message across:
"Wǒ xiǎng qǔ nǐ de nǚ’ér. Wǒ xiǎng zhēng qiú nǐ de xǔ kě." (I want to marry your daughter. I would like to ask for your permission.)
With warm smiles, they said yes and gave me a thumbs-up.
Step 1: Complete!
As our China trip approached, I started taking daily selfies with Joy during dinner—just a casual routine to throw her off.
In between, I secretly posed with my fingers to form letters, subtly spelling out “Will you marry me?”—a "W" with three fingers up, an "M" with my hands curved just right.
Little did she know, my master plan was in motion.
Step 2: Complete!
August 2024
We traveled to Rochester, the city she called home in the U.S., and spent a couple of weeks working remotely from her host mom’s house.
While there, I confided in Mrs. Ouzer about my plan. As kind and amazing as she is, she came up with the perfect way to help—she convinced Joy that she wanted to gift her a ring and needed to check her size. A part of me was giddy with excitement and a part of me was also nervous, but it was all worth it. Once we had an idea of her ring size,
Step 3: Complete!
Back home, I spent hours researching the perfect ring—the one that would resonate most with Joy.
Every married man knows the importance of the 4 C’s when picking a diamond!
Two weeks before our China trip, I finally had the ring in hand. To ensure the surprise wasn’t ruined, I hid it in my soccer gear.
Step 4: Complete!
October 29, 2024 – The big day. We visited the Ancient Canal in Jiaxing just before sunset. While trying to take in the beauty of the place, I was also searching for the perfect spot to propose. Honestly, any place with her would be perfect, but I wanted it to be just right.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, a soft purple light from a nearby restaurant reflected off the water, illuminating the Yuè Bridge—it was the moment I had been waiting for. I glanced at her parents and gave them a nod. They knew—it was time.
I handed them my phone to record, my heart pounding faster than ever. I discreetly pulled the ring box from my backpack and slipped it into my pocket. Then, I took out the printed selfies—the ones that spelled out the big question—and laid them out on the bridge.
“Joy, what does this say?”I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
She played along, piecing together the letters. And then, in a heartbeat, she knew.
As she turned to face me, I was already on one knee.
“Joy, will you marry me?”
“Yes! I’d love to!”
Step 5: Complete!
I got the girl of my dreams.
