They had never before been to Key West. Any first visit to Key West is memorable, but Julian wanted to make sure it was a trip Sydney would never forget by proposing to her. They met the way many couples meet nowadays - through a dating app. Over time they discovered their personalities led them to play off each other well. Sydney's fun, nurturing and artistic traits drew out similar traits in Julian. Pickleball became something they enjoyed together, as well as hanging out with friends. More recently they started to enjoy autumn activities like pumpkin picking and putting up Halloween decorations.
On the day of the proposal, Julian took Sydney to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park for sunset. They walked out to the shoreline and romantically strolled along the water's edge, sailboats full of passengers to watch the sunset sailing by. Small waves lapped at the rocky shoreline and the sky was turning from blue to yellow since sunset was coming up within the next hour. They paused, looked out at the water and then Julian held her hands. After a few words, he dropped to one knee and asked those special words, "Will you marry me?" Sydney answered "yes", followed by exuberant hugs and kisses. After engagement photos around the park, beach and sunset, Julian and Sydney headed off for dinner to start a new chapter in their lives together.
We wish Julian and Sydney many, many happy and prosperous years together.
