After five years of dating, Ben decided to pop the question on my thirtieth birthday. If anyone would have told younger Ben that he was going to propose to his future wife at Omnia, a nightclub in San Diego, while champagne bottle service was being brought out, I think he would have died. As crazy as it sounds, it was the sweetest proposal that was never expected. With all my closest friends there, the audience was perfect. As we eagerly waited for our orders to be brought to our table, the DJ muted the music, spotlighted the lights, and my friend Shadi pointed out that my picture was on the TVs throughout the venue. As I looked up, it was a picture of Ben and I at my best friend's wedding with something written under the photo in Farsi. Of course, I can only speak and not read farsi so I was quickly prompted as to what was happening when I saw Ben down on one knee repeating the phrase he had rehearsed all week in Farsi "will you marry me, Mitra." Between the perfect proposal as well as the professional photographer that happened to come with the nightclub, It was one of the best nights and most unforgettable weekends of our lives and we thank and love all those who were able to make it that much more special.
We were both attending a “Waffle Party” hosted by my good friend at the time, who happened to also be Ben’s roommate. Ben and I both worked at UC Irvine Medical Center, but had never really interacted much since we were both new hires. Per usual, my keys immediately got stuck in my 15 year old car door. After multiple bachelors’ attempts to liberate them, Ben of course managed to do it in mere seconds, and so my contribution of fried chicken and alcohol-infused whipped cream (as evidenced by this photo) were saved. He’s lucky he started the night off so well, because neither his brain nor his beauty could convince anyone he was any kind of competition in playing “Heads Up.”
Fast-forward three hours from this sweet photo of us at the LA County Fair on our third date. There you'll find us both in separate corners of a Stater Brothers' parking lot in Pomona, pretending we were both "fineeee" and not suffering from a moderate to severe case of food poisoning. We should've known something wasn't right when Ben's request for a jalapeño cheddar dog was followed by a smirk, a laugh, and an "are you sure.." by the attendant.
Our first trip took us to the glorious shores of Las Vegas, Nevada for Ben's birthday. We cozied up in our Russian furs in the ice lounge; a picture-perfect night! That is until the hostess had to lead a mini search party for Mitra in the girl's room after she went missing for an hour. Rest assured, her black fur coat was quickly spotted under the stall and she was returned safely, "well-rested" and ready to head to our comedy show.
Our longest road trip took us to the apple TV backgrounds of Antelope Canyon, Utah. The scenery was amazing, and Mitra even got to see snowfall for the first time on our way through Zion. We had a great adventure hunting for the best barbecue off the reservation, and nearly died thanks to Ben's navigational skills and "road versus not-road" decision making skills on the way home.
While in Utah, Ben decided that my first hike ever should be the one where nine people die on average annually. It ended up being an amazing adventure with an even more incredible view.
Ben Ross & his Happy Little Tree.
HP baby! One of Mitra's most thoughtful birthday presents was taking me to the first city showing this modern day adaptation of the greatest book series of all time.
While attending his friend’s wedding in Alabama, Ben decided to sneak away during the reception to explore the property (of course). To no one's surprise, he returned thrilled to have discovered a room full of antique carriages that he had somehow convinced me were used in real Disney movies. We decided to go back and check it out. Ben decided he wanted to have an impromptu engagement shoot, and so with very little convincing, I set it up using my phone’s self-timer.
This was our best shot! :)
