Sophie was given fair warning about Ben. He lived across the country and neither felt “the spark” on the first date. Call it fate or just plain perseverance but they’re getting married at the end of the month in what I’m certain will be an incredible and emotional day.
I walked around with them through a lush little park on Kelly Drive on a sunny day.
The two met online. Ben was living in California but working in DC for long stretches at a time so it made sense to look into what the east coast had to offer. He contacted Sophie but, with no profile pictures, there was no response. You can’t blame him for trying for this gorgeous, curly-haired redhead. After a hiatus he came back to the site and kept finding himself drawn to Sophie’s profile. She noticed the visits and called him out on it, asking if she should be flattered or creeped out. And thus it began.
They went on a first date. The conversation was fantastic but no chemistry. Both willing to give it another try, they really hit it off on date #2 three weeks later.
Ben had purchased a ring from an independent jewelry shop that Sophie loves. It was burning a hole in his pocket so one night while they were having dinner at his brother’s house, he blurted out the proposal. Sophie said yes but the next night they visited her family. Ben told the group he had three questions. To her father he asked if he could have Sophie’s hand in marriage. To her mother he asked if he could have the ring Sophie had always coveted. To Sophie he asked for her hand in marriage. Again.
They have just gotten themselves a place in Santa Monica that sounds like true luxury. He is a big snowboarder and hiker and she is into yoga and running. They live down the street from the ocean and the views are enviable.
The year has been difficult for them but it has only served to strengthen their connection to one another. Changing jobs, living bicoastal, moving, planning a wedding, and Sophie losing her father just a few months ago have been hard. Sophie says that Ben has been incredible through it all and, though she wishes her father could be at the wedding, relishes the fact that he loved Ben and blessed the marriage.
I’m looking forward to seeing you both again so, so soon!
“Your greatest tests will come in the darkest moments when your soul is being squeezed. That’s when you want to be grounded in your bigger purpose.”
~ Baron Baptiste
