Angelina “Leena” and Brittany took their engagement photos in the historic Los Rios district in San Juan Capistrano, California. They are getting married in January 2020.

Let’s start at the beginning. How did you two first meet?

Brittany: We met the night before I was leaving for college in Colorado. I had gone out to the downtown Disney area and on my way home decided to stop at Starbucks. In front of me in line was Leena. We started talking while we were in line. I asked Leena what she recommended, then we ended up talking outside of the Starbucks all night. We exchanged numbers that night and kept talking even though I was leaving to another state. We visited each other and dated long-distance for a year. Leena decided to take the jump and moved to Colorado with me while I finished my bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

What makes your relationship special? Tell us some things that you both value in your time together. What makes your relationship unique?

Brittany: I think what makes our relationship unique is how much we push each other to be a better person and, consequently, a better couple. We both have flaws and areas we can improve and instead of demeaning the other person, we both support each other to grow. In times of turmoil or difficulty, we are each other’s support system and safety net.

Through any failures or challenges, we both know that it won’t affect how the other person views us. Having someone in your life that you feel comfortable going to with your most difficult feelings and knowing there is zero judgment is something so special and something I am incredibly grateful. Leena constantly pushes me to be a brighter and better person in this world.

Angelina: I feel like we both understand each other’s needs without having to communicate them because we understand each other so well.

How did you know your partner was the one? When did you first know this in your relationship?

Brittany: For me, it wasn’t an isolated moment where I knew Leena was the one but a continuous feeling of love and gratitude when I would come home at the end of the day to her. The simplest moments together are the ones I have cherished most. Knowing after I get off of work that I get to go home and have dinner with her, walk the dogs together or watch a TV show together is the highlight of my day. After seven years together, still feeling so excited after not seeing her for a matter of hours makes me certain that she is the one.

Angelina: When Brittany surprised me with tickets to Hawaii. In that moment, I felt like she was a great listener and she took the time to surprise me. She showed me how much she loves me and how she cares about something that I had always wanted to do. I really loved how she wanted to share that experience with me.

Give us all the details about the proposal. How and where did it happen? Was it a surprise? What was the planning process?

Brittany: In the summer of 2018, we were lucky enough to take a trip to France and Germany. While on the trip, we spent a day at Disneyland Paris. While taking photos together in front of the Disneyland Paris Castle, Leena dropped to one knee and asked me to marry her. For me, it was a complete surprise. Luckily, my little brother was on the trip with us and was able to catch the whole moment in photos.

We’re all about the bling… Tell us all about that ring!

Brittany: Leena got me a cushion cut diamond ring with a halo around the main diamond. The band is a simple white gold; it is the perfect ring for me.

Are you excited to start planning your wedding day? Do you have any ideas in mind yet?

We will be getting married in January 2020 at Grand Traditions in Fallbrook, California. We are very excited to have a wedding with all of our closest loved ones. We hope it will be a night to remember with personalized corn hole, mini donuts instead of cake, a selfie photo booth and sparklers.

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Photographer: Chrissy Gilmartin Photography

Venue: Historic Los Rios District