We're getting married

Sometime during high school, they aren’t exactly sure when, they met at a Shabbaton weekend for USY – the Jewish youth group they were both involved in. They can’t exactly say it was “love at first sight,” but both became very good friends. The two stayed in touch throughout high school and spent many weekends together.

A few years went by, and Arielle moved to Texas with her family, but they stayed in touch. Toward the end of 2013, a job offer brought Arielle back to Los Angeles, and her and Simon reconnected on her visit. She needed a roommate once she made the move out to LA, but Simon said no…

He said,

"I don't want to be your roommate. I want to date you."

She thought he was joking. He wasn't.

To make a long story short, the two started dating soon after Arielle moved to LA. Arielle soon fell in love with Simon, and was the first to say, “I love you”. They connected over their love of sushi, USY, music, Disneyland, and all things Japanese.

In 2016 the pair bought their first home together – as a couple and permanent roommates.

The proposal

As annual passholders, we go to Disneyland every opportunity we can. We decided to go on Saturday, March 10. It was raining that day, but we didn’t mind – the park was empty so that just meant short lines! Let me backup for a minute – I love listening to Disney music – especially on car rides down to the park. Sometimes Simon can handle a song or two, but on this day, he let me sing the entire Moana soundtrack. I just thought that he finally gave in and realized he loved it too…

We arrived at Club 33 for lunch, starving. It was already 1pm! While we were waiting for our food, I wanted to go out to the balcony overlooking the park, as the club lets its guests go out as they please. Simon said “wait, I’m too hungry, let’s wait for the main course…” I agreed, as I was hungry as well.

After we finished our lunch, but before dessert, I said, “ok, let’s go out and watch the rain…” We went out to the balcony, and Simon was telling me that he remembered a picture that we have of us on the balcony together, and how we both love this place so much.

Then he said that he really loves being able to share everything with me, how lucky we are that we have no secrets, nothing to hide from each other, and complete trust. But then he said, “recently there was something that I had to keep from you, and it’s been really hard not being able to share it with you.”

I said, “oh did you sign an NDA at work?” “Not exactly…” he said. I turned around to face him and he was on his knee and holding a ring and said,

“Will you marry me?”