Leah was aimlessly scrolling through the apps one night in 2014, when she came across the rare dating profile-

*photos of a cute guy, actually doing fun things

*not holding a fish

*not posing with a tiger

*not a single gym mirror selfie

She was especially drawn in by his headline which read

5'7" ... "¯\_(ツ)_/¯"

After some clever banter, they planned their first date for the Black Bottle on a rainy Tuesday in October. Amir was already seated at a table across the bar when Leah walked in from the rain, as she scanned the room he looked up and smiled. Her belly did a little flip and as they started their date, she quickly knew he was someone she'd want to see again. The conversation was easy, they had mutual interests and even knew some of the same people (see-bridesmaid Lisa). She left and told her friends all about him, and he told his friends "she's definitely going to hate me." Much to his surprise, she did not hate him! That fall and winter they fell quickly in love, finding things in the other that they hadn't found before. They grew closer over their love of concerts, travel, drinks on the town, themed parties and, of course, the weekly football gatherings.

The following winter they moved in together, becoming a blended family with Leah's cat, Stella, and Amir's pug, Cassius. They expanded their family when JoJo came into their lives, and the cat that Amir never wanted became his tiny new best friend.

We hate to ruin the mood, but fast-forward a couple years and their relationship ended in 2018. They wanted different things, and decided separating was the best choice for each of them. Leah and the kitties moved back to the city, and while they each attempted to put their lives back together without the other person in it, they found themselves still talking every day. They shared custody of their cat, JoJo, and had some co-parenting logistics to manage. But, beyond the cat shuttling they found that they still went to the other person first for all their life events. Despite going through the gut-wrenching decision to break up, their friendship wasn't something they were willing to give up. So while they tried to be single and went about life 'not dating' each other, it eventually became apparent that 'not dating' was not happening.

They finally got back together New Year's Eve 2020. It was the very best start to a new year, and they lived in bliss for about two months before 2020 had other plans. They navigated getting back together through COVID and beyond. They made new routines in their new relationship, solidifying the bond they always had and the love they always shared.

They've never moved back in together, which has befuddled basically everyone except themselves. Despite their addresses on opposite ends of the bridge, their relationship has only grown stronger through each new life phase. Four and a half years after they got back together, Amir proposed on a private sailboat in the Santa Barbara Harbor, and Leah said yes.

They've already known each other for 10 years, so they planned a brief 9-month engagement and are looking forward to their dream wedding and truly can't wait to celebrate their love with all of our friends and family!

Photos