Rose Mary is a California native that had big dreams after graduating from UC Irvine. After graduation, she immediately moved across the country to Washington, DC in pursuit of those dreams in education and helping students in the local communities. James is a Virginia native and also had big dreams after graduating from West Virginia University. After living in Washington, DC for 3 years, he wanted to move to the Los Angeles in pursuit of those dreams in the media/film entertainment industry.
It was inevitable that their paths would cross and a blessing from God that resonates beyond this world.
Their journey is only beginning... and they would only discover that the true dream... is the lifetime bond they share together.
In March of 2016, Rose Mary was in her 4th year of living in Washington DC. She worked at Georgetown University's Security Studies Program with her work BFF Olivia. After a long work week, Rose Mary and Olivia decided to spend a Friday afternoon at St. Arnold's Mussel Bar in the DuPont Circle neighborhood. After finishing their meal, Olivia brought up the idea of stopping by her friend James' townhouse in DuPont. Olivia is also friends with James as they both attended West Virginia University together.
Meanwhile, James (along with his roommates Ghilan and Taylor) were having friends over to watch the NCAA March Madness games (UVA and WVU playing on the same night) as well as the usual pregame before the Friday night out. Spirits were high all around. Rose Mary and Olivia arrived at the DuPont town house to hang out with the group.
As Rose Mary introduced herself to everyone, James of course took special interest. As they both discussed things to identify common interest, the fun started when James jokingly pokes fun at Rose Mary about not seeing her going to the same Gold's Gym as him. In the moment of the NIGHT, Rose Mary confidently states in front of all of James' friends, "oh yeah, I have seen you there. You're that guy who only goes to the gym twice a month and is always on your phone." OHHHHHHHHHHHHH, the room exploded in laughter and applauded. As only James would, he claps back by offering a challenge to Rose Mary: if James can complete Rose Mary's usual workout, she has to buy him dinner. But if James can't complete her workout, she buys him dinner. Either way... James was going to buy dinner. Rose Mary accepts the challenge and reveals her routine is a HIIT workout.
They go out that evening.
They both complete the workout together the following Monday.
They have dinner the next Friday.
The rest is history.
By the time Rose Mary returned to Southern California in September of 2016, James had made the cross-country move two months prior (July 2016). They both settled in Downtown Los Angeles. Blessed by their two cats, Winston & Franklin, they have lived in the heart of Los Angeles for over 3 years! (by the way you can follow them on Instagram @winston.and.franklin)
Rose Mary & James set the expectations so high for themselves in their careers and prioritized their work life (another story for later). They provide support constantly for each other every day at home.
Outside of work, they together have grown accustomed to LA through discovery for places to eat, mountains to hike, beaches to tan on, music to sing/dance to, comedy shows to roll out of their seats, movies to scream at, and new/old friendships through work and around the area.
With every struggle and success, the love they have for the City of Angels is cemented into the history of their relationship.
During the 3 years prior to their engagement, Rose Mary & James share one mutual passion... and that is their passion for travel.
It is their chance to seek discovery, experience other cultures, remove the stress from their hard work in LA, an opportunity to share smiles/laughs with family, and to cultivate their relationship to levels beyond their imagination. From April 2016 through December 2018, Rose Mary & James have traveled together to:
- Hong Kong
- Italy (Venice, Milan, Naples, Positano, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Vatican City, Rome, Florence)
- Caribbean (Aruba, Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos)
- Madrid, Spain
- Zion National Park in Utah
- Horseshoe Bend & Grand Canyon in Arizona
- Down the Pacific Coast Highway (Monterey, SLO, Santa Barbara)
- New York City, NY
- Orlando, FL
- Williamsburg, VA
- Las Vegas, NV
- San Francisco, CA
- Destin, FL
Nearing the end of an epic 2018, James surprised Rose Mary with a birthday/Christmas gift to Hong Kong. It was a trip to celebrate the banner year they had together, NYE 2019, and most importantly her 29th birthday. On Rose Mary’s birthday December 30, 2018... James took it a big step further and proposed to Rose Mary on the rooftop of their hotel in Hong Kong! With an emotional speech and joyous energy they shared in the moment, Rose Mary gave an empathetic YES as the sun shined down on them over the Hong Kong skyline. They continued to soak in the moment over a glass of champagne as they celebrated the beginning of their engagement and lifetime (beyond lifetime) journey together.
With the help of Cruise Rooftop Restaurant and Hotel VIC on the Harbor... Rose Mary & James shared a romantic birthday/engagement dinner overlooking the Victoria Harbor in the same rooftop restaurant that the engagement took place.
They can be silly, serious, smiling, upset, laughing, arguing, celebrating a huge milestone, dwelling in failure...
But the thing that won't stop them is their ability to keep moving forward together.
The unbreakable growth and compromise they share.
Their faith in God. Their faith in their family and friends.
Their faith in each other. That spans beyond infinite time.
They put each other first and they will continue climbing to the mountain top together.
They plan to set the foundation for their future family and every generation thereafter.
Their love for each other resonates forever.