allan zepeda

She said yes! 💍 A few months ago, I told Shirley we were invited to a work gala at the Frick Museum on the 17th. I hired a calligrapher to make a fake fancy invitation and everything. When we got there, the "gala" staff told us we could explore the collection and to eventually make our way to the garden atrium where the gala party was. We walked through the Fragonard room and I shared the story behind the four “Progress of Love” paintings, from “The Pursuit” to “Love Letters,” and how some people believe the statue in the last piece, “Love Letters,” is Amitié (friendship), which could imply that the climax of love isn’t just passion but friendship. I told her how much I value the relationship and friendship we’ve built over the past couple of years. We then made our way to the atrium where she started to realize that there was no gala. I shared that I commissioned my own "love letter" for my best friend and that I was excited to show it to her. She saw the piece at the end of the garden, admired the details, and eventually noticed the artist placard titled " Shirley, will you marry me? — Rousseau Kazi, 2026 " ...when she looked back, I was on one knee, she said yes (woo!), and then saw her family who flew in from across the country to celebrate the moment with her. Being able to privately explore the museum and take photos with our family was a magical experience. Afterwards, I told her that I got us a table for our family at a restaurant she always wanted to go to. When she got there, she was greeted by 50 of our closest friends. We ate amazing food, caught up with everyone, and I exhaled realizing that I get to spend the rest of my life with a person I love so deeply. Those who know me know that I view myself as a story builder more than anything. I got into building products even because it felt like the best way to share a story at scale. I viewed the proposal as a story that I got to craft and gift to the person I love. We'll hang the art piece in all of our future homes and when people ask her about it, she'll have a nice story to tell and a memory to relive. Thanks to all of my family, friends, vendors, etc., who made this whole thing possible. Still can't believe how it all came together. Easily the best day of my life.