Mount Fuji has always been special to us. On our first trip, we didn’t see its snowcap, so we promised to return. On our second visit, I planned the perfect moment to propose.

On the first day, I told Carmen we were going for a photography session. At a restricted area I had secretly booked, she hesitated but followed me. As we walked in, she began to realize what was happening.

Though the day was cloudy and Mount Fuji was hidden, I got down on one knee. Miraculously, as I began my proposal, the clouds cleared, and Mount Fuji appeared. Tears streamed down our cheeks as Carmen nodded through her happy sobs—forgetting to say "yes!"

We’re so excited to celebrate this magical moment with you!

We first met through a mutual friend a decade ago and bonded over intense Mario Kart battles on the Wii—she was a gamer who knew how to keep me on my toes (and off the track)!

Ten years later, fate brought us back together for a first date. It started with coffee and plans for dinner, but life had other ideas. An emergency call came in—her dog had bitten her helper! (Don’t worry, the bite wasn’t too serious—Meen is a wonderful dog.) Suddenly, I found myself in a hospital meeting her brother and her helper with a very memorable bleeding hand.

Despite the chaos, we still managed to carry on with our dinner date afterwards! Life is full of surprises and so was our first date. If this doesn’t prove we’re meant to be, I don’t know what does!