The Proposal

Sh*t just got real.

Am I really about to click "Search"? and embark on the journey of marriage?!

For months, if not years, I've known that Kala was the one.

But let me slow down, and let's back up a little bit...

Before Kala and I started dating, we have always had a special bond, a friendship where we would hang out regularly, go to work lunches, and be each others friday night pre-weekend contact to ask, "whats going on tonite??" We've literally ran home over a mile from a bar together at 2AM, and not to mention she's poured a full beer over my head. Through thick and thin she's always been a great friend to me, so much so I got her a sweatshirt as a bday gift! (and i dont normally buy bday gifts). But I promise it was strickly platonic!

And if you look at me today, you'll see a man ecstatic he's going to marry his best friend.

Ever since I took the leap of faith and kissed Kala that one night, things have been simply amazing. It's one thing to start going out with a girl, but to go out with a girl you've been friends with so long, and already know each other so well, it's a totally different story. And for us, it's our story, and it's a wonderful story.

And now here I was, a little less than 1 year to this day (~May 2015), where I knew I was ready.

Theres always that one side of your head that tries to chime in, "JAMES! Are you sure!??! We're talking about Mt. Everest here!" - By the way, this is how my mind thinks. I am constantly thinking about the road ahead and ALL the things I have to do to get there - its exhausting! My life is already a little busy, but am I ready to proceed? "You know you're gonna have to start shopping, going to places, finding the ring, buying the ring, getting the setting, ask the dad, ask the mom, plan out how youre going to ask her, and then after all this, plan a wedding!?"

Thinking of how much Kala means to me, her smile, and how much I love her, it was an absolute no brainer. Of Course I was ready. And I'd do it a million times over.

And so I took my first step, and began my search for the ring.

OK, OK, got a lil' sidetracked here. The Proposal!

The Proposal

As Kala and others may know, I'm not much of an organizer so this was a hard step for me! But I must say, after planning this entire proposal, I think I got some pretty good training for what's ahead with planning the whole wedding.

One thing I knew was that Kala wanted her friends to be there. She had mentioned this in the past and I was sure to take a mental note. This was my first test, to rally up a group of some of her friends and see when they were all available. After calls and texts, we finally settled on a date that worked for almost everyone: August 15th.

OK, I got a date. Now what do I do??

Coming up with a way to propose actually took me by surprise. I always thought it would be a walk in the park, but it was quite difficult. Where do I put the ring, in my pants?! Is someone going to be available to snap a photo? How will I keep this a secret?? And most importantly, where am I going to do this?

I debated many different options, ranging from a very low key, stay-at-home proposal in our apartment, to proposing on a hike, to doing something crazy extravagant. I always toyed with the idea of asking Kala on a duffy, since we live on Balboa island and I think it would be so fitting, to ask her while crusing the harbor.

After discussing with a few of her friends, we shot a few ideas back and forth and finally agreed it was the best way. And so the mission began.

Now before I go on, I must say that Kala is a very smart girl. She's very observant and can sniff things out so well, that I knew it was gonna be hard to pull this off.

Our good friend Yasmine, wife of one of my closest friends Nick Tasooji, brought up the idea that we can pretend we're going out on a duffy for Nick's birthday. This was perfect, as Nicks birthday was right around the time I wanted to ask, and Kala would totally buy it. Done and done!

After having conversions amongst many of Kalas friends, a plan was made.

The plan was as follows:

• Days before Aug 15th, I would reserve the duffy.
• On the day of, Nick and Yasmine would drive to the duffy, and pick up Justin and Bekah along the way
• There would be "too much traffic", and it would be best if them 4 picked Kala and I up at a dock on Balboa Island, rather than us meeting them at the duffy rental shop.
• Kala would say, "sounds great!"
• On their way, they would decorate the duffy with rose petals and the fixins.
• Kala and I would arrive at the dock, but no one would be there. At that point, we board regardless and take the duffy out. (jig is up at this point!)
• I cruise and find a good spot, drop on the knee, and the rest is history
• After she hopefully says yes, we cruise the harbor some more, pop champagne, celebrate us two
• Meanwhile, in the distance, her friends would be secretly waiting, ready to celebrate with the both of us.

It all sounded so easy to pull off, but on gameday, things got a little to close for comfort, but I'm happy to say we pulled it off!

For starters, Kala was so cute that when she found out we were 'celebrating Nicks birthday', she kept offering to bring balloons, get cheese, bring champagne, etc...etc... and it was always so funny to see Yasmine reply, "We're good! you don't need to bring anything! I got it all!" and have Kala say, "you sure?! you don't need me to bring anything??" - Kala always likes to contribute.

Second: the whole idea of there being "too much traffic" and Kala willingly saying "sounds great" would have been too good to be true. Upon hearing the traffic white lie, Kala quickly thought, "lets just get an uber, duh." To combat this, I had to sit on the couch, half dressed, and pretend that I was running late to change and stuff, so it was a good idea that they pick us up, cause I needed the extra time.

Third: If proposing on a boat, on sunset during the summer, around Balboa island, THERE WILL BE LOTS OF PEOPLE! Oh my lordie, I was sweatin bullets thinking I was gonna have to propose in front of a huge crowd. The harbor was sooo crowded, people kayaking, chilling on boats, etc... and I wanted it to be just us two. I didn't think I was going to be able to and was nervous, but I found a spot!

Fourth (and last for now): I should have probably driven a duffy before, cause I was driving that thing 1mph in fear I was going to crash. And yes, Kala asked me to drive faster...

After of all the close calls, the goal was eventually reached: she said yes!

I'll always remember her face when she smiled looking down at me laughing, saying "are you serious?" and then realizing I was serious, and just tears coming from her eyes.

I'll always remember how happy I was to just cruise around the harbor, and share a glass of champagne with my new fiance, hearing Kala tell fell boaters, "WE JUST GOT ENGAGED!!!!"

And I'll always, always remember seeing the silhouette of a crowd, a small crowd gathered on the dock on Coral street, patiently waiting to celebrate the news with Kala. That crowd was Kala's friends. It was an absolutely beautiful moment when Kala first noticed the crowd, I honked the horn of the duffy and Kala broke down in tears, "are they here for me? is this for real?"

I got to answer her, "Yes, they're ALL here for you".

It was memorable enough for Kala to get engaged on this beautiful August 15th, 2015, but it is probably just as memorable the fact that all her friends were there. Kala cherishes her friendships so much, and I know she'll never forget that moment.

The rest is history, forever to be replayed in our heads.