The Proposal

In December 2025, Gabriel began planning one of the most important moments of his life—the day he would ask Gloria to marry him. While considering how to make the proposal unforgettable, he explored several possibilities, including a few locations Gloria herself had mentioned over time. However, Gabriel knew that choosing one of her suggestions might raise suspicions, and he wanted the surprise to be completely unexpected.

A few days later, while discussing Christmas shopping for family and friends, Gloria suggested a trip to the Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles. The moment she mentioned it, Gabriel remembered seeing a television feature about the outlet's famous natural Christmas tree, known as one of the tallest in the world. Instantly, he knew he had found the perfect setting. The magical holiday atmosphere and the towering Christmas tree would create a beautiful backdrop for the proposal.

Remembering how pleasant their previous visit had been when they arrived early, Gabriel suggested they do the same this time, especially since it was the last weekend before Christmas. Together, they settled on December 20th, and Gabriel proposed arriving around 6:30 in the morning.

Behind the scenes, Gabriel worked tirelessly to coordinate a surprise. He even wore the same outfit he wore to the first time they went out for dinner. He reached out to several of Gloria's friends, hoping they could help make the moment even more special. Although some were unavailable and others never responded, one close friend eagerly agreed to be part of the plan. Gabriel asked her to position herself near the west side of the Christmas tree. Originally, she was supposed to arrive holding a banner asking Gloria to marry him, but unfortunately, the banner was accidentally thrown away before the big day. Even without it, she remained an important part of the surprise. Gabriel's best friend and his wife also helped bring the vision to life by assisting with the flowers and a beautiful easel sign that displayed the heartfelt question.

On the morning of December 20th, Gabriel and Gloria arrived exactly as planned. The sun had not yet risen, and the sky was still dark as they made their way to the west side of the magnificent tree. With plenty of time before the proposal, Gloria happily suggested taking pictures in front of the dazzling holiday display. Meanwhile, Gabriel tried to remain calm, frequently glancing at his watch as he waited for the perfect moment.

As the appointed time approached, Gabriel gently began reminiscing about the journey they had shared, the adventures they had experienced, the memories they had created, and the countless places they had explored together. Unaware of what was about to happen, Gloria became a little impatient, mostly because she was hungry and eager to continue their morning. But Gabriel knew that in just a few moments, everything would change.

When everyone was finally in position, Gabriel gave the signal by putting on a Santa hat. Then, surrounded by loved ones and the warmth of the holiday season, he turned to Gloria, got down on one knee, and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him.

For a brief moment, Gloria was completely speechless. The surprise was perfect. As the reality of the moment sank in, tears filled her eyes. Overcome with emotion and joy, she looked at Gabriel and answered with the one word he had been hoping to hear:

"Yes."

And beneath the glow of the Christmas tree, their forever and always began.