Our Story
Read about how we met, trips we took, and how Brandon proposed.
How we met...
Brandon and Annie met in October of 2004, at a party at Brandon's apartment. Annie had just transfered from Dominican University of California in San Rafael, California to University of Oregon in Eugene. After going through fall rush, she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. It was the weekend after bid day, and some of Annie's sorority sisters were taking her to a party at their "friends Brandon and Jesse's place". Having only been in Oregon a month, Annie was missing the Bay Area as she made her way into the party behind her friends. Ahead of her, she could her the girls talking to someone, saying "We want to introduce you to Annie." As the people parted, Annie and Brandon first saw each other. As Brandon offered her a drink, Annie spied a poster of San Francisco on the wall behind him, and noticed that the shot glass he was holding happened to be of San Francisco also. They immediately struck up a conversation, which led to dancing, which led to Brandon getting Annie's phone number. After seeing her again next week at a Duck football game (and waiting a week to call her), Annie and Brandon went on their first date to Lucky Noodle Cafe. And they have been dating ever since...
Carmel and San Francisco trip - September 2005
Brandon and Annie both have ties to the Bay Area, Annie having been born in Carmel, spending all her summers at her grandfather's tennis camp, and attending college in San Francisco for two years, and Brandon having been born in the Bay Area and running the Bay to Breakers race there more recently. When they had a break after summer session at University of Oregon and before the start of school, they drove down to San Francisco for what they thought would be a four day trip. After seeing old friends at Dominican University, having dinner in Marin, and staying with Annie's high school friend at his flat on the corner of Haight/Ashbury, the next day was spent exploring the city and sight seeing. That night was one of the most fun they've had - happy hour at the Tanga Room in the Fairmont Hotel (an original tiki bar with a pond, rainstorms every half hour, and delicious tropical drinks), followed by martinis at San Francisco's classic Top of the Mark, followed by a ride in a London Cab to Blowfish Sushi restaurant (best sushi they've ever had!). The next morning was sunny with clear blue skies, and a last minute decesion to drive to Carmel for a "day trip" turned out to be a good one! After a romantic lunch at Casanova restaurant and a stroll to the galleries, they quickly decided to stay the night. A cute bed and breakfast called Happy Landing Inn was found, and after two days of beautiful weather, the beach, wine tasting in Carmel Valley, lunch at Baja Cantina, a trip to Tiffany and Co. was made where they looked at engagement rings and decided that if they got married, they would have to do it in Carmel.
How Brandon proposed...
On a trip to California this past June for Annie's friend Becky's wedding, Brandon suprised Annie with a last minute trip to San Francisco. Once there, he re-created their night from the last San Francisco trip - happy hour at the Tanga Room and dinner at Blowfish. After leaving the Tanga Room, he suprised her again by suggesting that they walk across the street to The Top of the Mark. They got a table by the window and after ordering a bottle of Vueve Cliquot (Annie's favorite champagne) Brandon told Annie all the reasons he loves her and then got down on one knee, and pulled out a beautiful vintage 1920's ring. Annie cried and said yes with all her heart.
