First Date, 2018
New to the city, Jay asked Sonia to fly with him in a helicopter around Tampa. Sonia was born and raised in Tampa, but she had never experienced her city from the sky!! She immediately said yes to date after talking to him for 1 day... that's a lot of trust.
They met at a tiny airport with one tiny yellow helicopter. It was an amazing experience! They then went to lunch and barely ate because the conversation was so natural and so verbose! They spent the rest of the day together, walking along the river, and learning about each other.
They left the date each thinking this could be the start of something spectacular!
New Years Eve, 2018
Jay expressed his love for Disney early on in the relationship. But he had only been to Disney World once as a kid. The pair planned a trip during New Years and Jay muscled their way to the front of the castle for the fireworks at midnight! It was an entirely magical trip. So much so, that they are returning to Disney World for the wedding!
First Valentine's Day, 2019
Before we knew it it was our first Valentine’s Day! Sonia loves art so Jay planned a Paint Night (Sonia's favorite activity), with dinner afterwards. The date has become a standing tradition for the two. They even recreated the setup - with easels, tablecloth, paints and all! - at her apartment during COVID lockdown!
Zion Adventure, 2020
Most people think of a beach as a destination for a vacation. But Sonia was born on the water, and she is fascinated by rocks!! After the first wave of the pandemic, they sneaked in a getaway to Zion National Park. Sonia planned an incredible trip, start to finish.They trekked through water waist-high up the canyon, climbing boulders along the way. And then they hiked up Angel’s Landing, climbing chains dug into the mountain. Their home is now littered with photos big and small from this gorgeous excursion. And they’ve shared their itinerary with many friends!
Recreating the First Date
After two years together, Sonia and Jay had become committed to each other. Jay set up a meeting with her parents to discuss next steps. With their blessing in hand, he planned a getaway to St. Augustine. He peppered the trip with multiple recalls to ‘first’ experiences in their relationship, including taking her on another helicopter ride!
Dec 31, 2020
On New Year’s Eve, Jay had the two of them dress up, and he took her on a walk around historic St. Augustine. He paused between the water and a historic Spanish castle, and got down on one knee. They were both so zoned in on the moment that they didn’t notice the small crowd that had gathered around them until they resurfaced and heard the cheers!
There’s just one thing the happy couple needs before they can ride off into the sunset: to celebrate with you!