Some love stories feel like they’re written in the stars. For Tracey Crisostomo and Kinu Robles, fate needed a little help from a college friend with a talent for matchmaking.
What started as casual hangouts turned into something deeper. “Being around Tracey made everything feel lighter,” Kinu shared. “I could be 100% myself, no walls, no pretending, and she brought out a version of me I genuinely loved.”
Eight years later, that connection only grew stronger. And in the heart of Japan, under the soft blush of cherry blossoms, Kinu asked the question that would change everything.
The Proposal: Rikugien Gardens, Tokyo
Kinu knew Japan was the perfect backdrop. It was Tracey’s first time in the country, and they had timed their trip to catch sakura season, a symbol of renewal and beautiful beginnings.
He first considered a grand dinner proposal. But Japan’s timeless charm inspired something more intimate. After weeks of secret coordination with a local photographer and videographer, Kinu crafted a plan that felt natural, romantic, and deeply personal.
Their “casual photo shoot” took place in Rikugien Gardens. A light morning rain had just cleared, leaving a dreamy, soft glow over the centuries-old garden. Tracey described it best: “It felt like the heavens themselves had cleared the skies just for us.”
Then came the cue.
As they stood back-to-back, the photographer called out, “The view is AMAZING!”, which was their secret signal. Tracey turned around, expecting another pose. Instead, she saw Kinu down on one knee, holding a ring box.
“He started speaking, but all I could hear was, ‘This is it,’” Tracey said. “My heart was racing. My mind was spinning. I was completely overwhelmed.”
And then: “With this ring, I give you my heart,” Kinu told her.
Tracey said yes through joyful tears, with a love that had been eight years in the making.
A Proposal Full of Heart
For Kinu, the decision to propose was about honoring their story.
“I knew it was time when life just made more sense with her in it,” he said. “It wasn’t one big moment. It was the collection of little ones.”
Wanting everything to be perfect (and to catch the ever-perceptive Tracey off guard) he even enlisted the help of her colleagues at Klook. They crafted a believable cover story: that she had been asked to model for a cherry blossom campaign. The plan worked flawlessly, allowing Tracey to be effortlessly radiant on the day without a hint of suspicion.
“Proposing isn’t about the flash or the grand gesture,” Kinu shared. “It’s about the intention behind it. When your heart’s ready, speak your truth, look her in the eyes, and ask with everything you’ve got.”
Their Japanese proposal was a perfect reflection of that philosophy: deeply personal, beautifully planned, and full of genuine love.
A New Beginning in Full Bloom
As they basked in the magic of the moment, another subtle miracle unfolded. The rain, which had held off just long enough for their engagement, returned as they wrapped up their shoot. It was as if the skies themselves had witnessed their love story and offered a quiet blessing.
Even during the retake for the photographer’s sake, Tracey found herself overwhelmed with fresh emotion. “It was during that retake that I truly heard every word Kinu had prepared for me, and in that moment, I realized just how deeply I loved him, even more than I thought possible.”
For Tracey and Kinu, their unforgettable Japanese proposal was a beautiful new beginning, written in the rain-cleared skies of Tokyo and sealed with a love that has only grown stronger with time.
As they look ahead to their future together, one thing is certain: some moments aren’t just planned. They’re meant to be.
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