August 28th will always be our special day. We had our elopement at the International Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. Shout out to Yancy for pulling it all together within just 3 days. That’s right! Only 3 days. I remember being so stressed out because, come on, who wouldn’t be nervous and stressed on their wedding day, especially with only 3 days to prepare?

Stay tuned! We’re very excited to finally share our Wedding Day in the coming weeks! <3

The Day of Our Vows

The day we made vows to each other, promising to stay by each other’s side until the end, is a day I’ll always remember. It was unforgettable, not just because we got married, but because I tased someone on my wedding day! Take a guess, guys! Who did I tase? Drum roll, please! It was our marriage officiant, Nate, our amazing friend. The day was full of love, laughter, and emotions.

Celebrating Our Anniversary in Florida

This year, we celebrated our anniversary in Florida. Yancy planned a staycation at The Seagate Hotel & Spa and surprised me with a romantic dinner. Little did I know, this night was full of surprises that I’d never dreamed of or expected.

Since the hotel had a full spa facility, my dearest husband booked me a facial and spa treatment. The massage was okay, but the facial was incredible (highly recommended). After the spa, I walked into the first surprise: an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. To be honest, I was a little confused because Yancy was out running errands, and it was just me and the champagne staring at each other. I left the bottle alone and started to get ready for dinner.

A Night to Remember at Le Colonial

Dinner was at Le Colonial, a Vietnamese & French fusion restaurant with very good ratings online. We had high hopes for the food. The restaurant itself is beautiful and fancy. When I first walked in, I was breathless; it was so beautiful. The atmosphere was classic and elegant.

The host brought us to our table, where I saw a bouquet of roses and a photo album. My tears started to fall. We sat down, and our server congratulated us with two glasses of champagne. I thought the champagne was on the house since we were celebrating, but it was just regular cheap brut. Anyway, I couldn’t take my eyes off the photo album. It was such a beautiful album full of memories, bringing me right back to the Rose Garden.

The Surprise of a Lifetime

Surprises kept coming. We cheered and adored the album together. I chugged the last sip of champagne without noticing the new wedding ring at the bottom of the glass. Remember, I couldn’t take my attention away from the album. I was confused again, thinking, “Oh my god, did the restaurant forget to remove the metal scrubbing pad?” I spat it out into my hand and screamed in my head. I though something like this only happened in movies. My tears were nonstop at this point. Everything was unexpected. I felt so loved and still shocked. It felt like a dream, but it was real.

The Food and the Walk Back

Now, about the food. I was quite disappointed and would only give it 2 out of 10. I’m not sure where the 4.8 ratings on OpenTable or the 3.8 stars on Google come from. The food was just not good. I can’t even think of a word to describe it. The service was slow, and we waited a long time for our server to come back and check on us. Finally, we paid and left. The hotel shuttle wasn’t available, so we took a little walk back to the hotel.

My Surprise for Yancy

Right after we got back, it was my turn to give Yancy a little surprise. Guess what I got him?! A pair of underwear with my face all over them. I wasn’t sure what to get him and didn’t want the gift to be boring and meaningless. So yes, my weird Aquarius brain told me to do this!

Growing Together

Within this year, we both have grown so much and will continue to grow by each other’s side. There were ups and downs. We went from night owls to early birds, from a huge circle of friends to a small one. We had a lot to adjust to. We both believe there’s nothing we can’t do as long as we have each other. There were times we disagreed because we are two human beings from different cultures and backgrounds with different beliefs. However, learning how to compromise with your partner is crucial in a relationship. Sometimes you have to compromise more, sometimes less. But in the end, what makes the relationship stronger is listening, being upfront, and communicating. Constantly learning about each other. Your partner in crime should be your eyes, and you should be their ears. He shall be your king, and you shall be his queen. Two people, side by side, with one heart.

One Year Down, Forever to Go: Our Anniversary Story