How it all began
We met in the kitchen –
I, Candice, had been working at Il Nido, an Italian restaurant in the Alki neighborhood of Seattle for almost two years when Robby walked in. After several months working together — and quite a few carpool rides home together —Robby plucked up the courage (at the urging of his sister) to ask me out.
Would I care to go to a movie?
Why yes, I would.
Over those past several months, I had noticed his humble work ethic & kind spirit. I had been impressed by how beyond his contagious, booming laugh, he was quietly observant, something I had noted weeks before when he had seen that I was quietly burdened at work and had asked if I needed a hug. Unbeknownst to Robby, my grandmother had entered hospice care that day, and that hug meant more than he could imagine. Needless to say, I was more than intrigued by him, but I had reservations about getting involved with a coworker.
When he finally asked me out, it was the week before Christmas and we were both headed home to our families. We were 7 states apart over the holidays, and over that week our plans evolved from a movie date to more. Robby inquired if I would be back in Seattle for New Year's Eve? Sadly not, but I was impressed by his courage — a first date on New Year's? Bold. What about my birthday on January 4th, did I have plans? Once again, I was tied up, but touched by the thought. Nevertheless, over the course of our holiday break, our “movie date” was mysteriously upgraded to a dinner reservation at the impressive new restaurant, Driftwood, around the corner from our work — (also, where Robby now works!)
That date changed everything. Coworkers who admired one another, we sat across the table and realized this was much more. After that first date, I leaned in and asked him a charged question: "Do you want something real?" His answer was a resolute "yes” and a chapter turned in both our lives. We stepped outside the restaurant, had our first kiss on the stoop, and quite honestly, the rest was history.
In his words
“the lights suddenly came on".
The Nagel family invited me, Robby, to their annual 4th of July family trip in L.A. for the week — I couldn’t have been more excited. The trip consisted of a few days in Disneyland, a beach day with the whole family, a Beach Boys concert, and a dinner date for just Candice and me at a Michelin-star restaurant. I knew it would be my best chance at making it the most romantic, most memorable trip of a lifetime.
I’d initially planned on popping the question on our dinner date but Candice’s brother, Chad, was leaving that next morning with his then fiancé, Anika. Immediately upon hearing that news, I decided I would ask her to marry me on the beach day with the entire family.
I pulled Candice’s parents, Cindy and Clay, into the bedroom and showed them the engagement ring and their excitement left me overjoyed as Clay blessed and prayed over me. Candice’s sister, Cassidy, somehow already knew I was going to propose during the trip and her brother, Caleb, volunteered to be my candid photographer.
—— The stage was set. ——
When we arrived at Seal Beach, I noticed the very prominent pier and immediately knew we’d be going on a walk together later. The two of us walked down the little shopping and restaurant neighborhood hand-in-hand like we always do. She never was the wiser. We ended up getting sandwiches and chips for the Nagel clan waiting for us down on the beach. So, Candice suggested we take her nieces for a walk down the pier together, not exactly the plan but the show must go on! As we walked down the pier, the girls were swiftly swooped up and it was just the two of us – so I thought. I knew Caleb was tracking us from a modest distance but not too far behind him, the Nagel clan followed. I didn’t expect them all to be on the pier with us but now, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
I could only make it halfway down the pier before I had to drop to one knee and ask the easiest and somehow also the hardest question of my life. Before I could even say a word, tears of joy erupted on Candice’s beautiful face gleaming in the rays of sunlight and shimmering waves of the Pacific. She said yes and her family descended upon us like a cloud made of pure joy and happiness and then on queue, like paid actors, dolphins started jumping out of the water.
So, fast forward six months …
As we look ahead, we are so excited to build a life together — sharing life with someone to support you, cheer you on & hold your hand is a revelation we both cherish.
