A Love Story
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....aka the fall of 2009 at UCLA,
two students left home to start their college careers.
He was a computer science major that liked basketball, Super Smash Bros, and honey walnut shrimp.
She was a MCDB major that liked running, Big Bang Theory, and beef noodle soup.
They both got involved with InterVarsity their freshman year, and it was there that they met.
She was kind and beautiful, and by the end of sophomore year, he (like many others) had a crush on her.
Around the end of junior year, with the help of his roommate, he gathered the courage to ask her out.
He asked her out on a date while walking her back from class.
She was completely caught off guard, oblivious to his previous feeble flirting attempts.
He gave her some time to think it over. A week later she helpfully replied, "I don't know!"
They left on complicated terms for the summer. He went up to Seattle for an internship, while she stayed in California for her own internship.
Senior year came around. Halfway through fall quarter, they both went to Catalina Island for an InterVarsity conference.
At night, the two of them talked by the beach. He once again asked her if she'd be willing to go on a date.
She replied that she'd be open for a date, but not a relationship yet. She also said other things...
...but all he really remembers is that she was down for a date!
However, after they got back, she changed her mind and said that she didn't want to lead him on.
He was crushed.
They didn't talk for the next three months. He all but gave up hope that she would ever go on a date with him.
As winter quarter continued, they slowly started talking again, but it clearly stopped at just friends.
During Spring Break, one of his close friends took matters into his own hands, messaging her on gChat.
During Spring quarter, she started taking a bioinformatics class that used Python. Seeing as he was a computer science major, she asked him for help.
This way, she could learn more about him AND coding at the same time - so efficient!
They started to chat and spend more time together, occasionally using the class as an excuse.
One day, while studying in her apartment, they found themselves alone.
What an opportunity! He decided to go for it, asking her out on a date yet again.
She finally agreed! Third time's the charm.
They went to Third Street Promenade, where they gave directions in Chinese to a lost bystander, ate Thai food at Monsoon Cafe, and explored the block.
The first date went well (phew!) so they went on another, where they hiked up Runyon Canyon and had a picnic at the top.
A couple weeks later, it was tenth week. It was now or never - time to seal the deal!
On Tuesday night, they walked down to campus together.
He brought her to the top of Boelter Hall, overlooking the rest of UCLA.
They were chatting and admiring the view when suddenly...
Yes, that really did happen.
Up on the top of Boelter, he gave a long, heartfelt speech and asked her to officially be his girlfriend. She said that she was continuing to like him more and more, and said yes!
They spent the rest of the night chatting and laughing with the splendor of UCLA below them. What a night!
It was June 4th, 2013.
Two weeks later, among friends and family, they graduated from UCLA. Go Bruins!
After spending the summer apart, they embarked on the next chapter of their lives.
She started her Biomedical Sciences PhD at UCSD, while he began his first full-time job as a software engineer at Amazon in Irvine.
Thus commenced their 80-mile long-distance relationship. They only saw each other on weekends, but made a habit of video chatting every Wednesday.
This continued on month after month, and the Amtrak train line became an old friend.
On their first Valentine's Day together, he took her to Coronado Island, surprising her with a sunset gondola ride and sushi. Afterwards, they walked to nearby Centennial Park.
In front of the San Diego night skyline, they shared their first kiss.
Their relationship continued to grow deeper and stronger. One year passed, then two, then four. The first "I love you"s were exchanged.
They delighted in their adventures together, whether it be hiking to the top of Angel's Landing or dancing to music videos in the living room.
As time went on, their hearts' whispers to spend the rest of their lives together intensified into shouts.
He began to scheme...
On July 22nd, 2017, he invited friends and family down to San Diego.
He took her back to Coronado Island, where they went to a beach by Centennial Park.
As they reflected on their journey together, he expressed how much he loved and cherished her.
He got down on one knee - "Jennifer Kuo, will you marry me?"
She said yes!
Their friends then emerged from hiding and the rest of the day was spent in celebration. It was a night to remember!
And thus ends this chapter, as the rest is yet to be written:
the love story of Zongwei & Jennifer!
The End