Dan Santos, an IT professional, and Minery Inomata, a preschool administrator, have a love story that inspires. Their journey from strangers to life partners is a testament to the power of persistence, serendipity, and a little bit of help from friends and family. Even their romantic proposal story is a reflection of that!
“At just 18 years old, I was encouraged by my best friend, Akiko, to download a dating app and have some fun,” Minery recalls. It was through this app that she met Dan
Their first meeting was a bit awkward. Minery had just finished school, and they decided to meet for dinner at a sushi restaurant. “I was really hungry but felt too shy to order a lot of food. So, I only ate a few pieces of sushi, which is quite unlike me!” Minery shared. After dinner, Dan suggested they go out for coffee, but Minery declined and went home.
However, their journey didn’t end there. Minery’s sister played a significant role in their relationship. One day, she suggested Minery invite Dan along for an outing. “If she hadn’t made that suggestion, I’m not sure we would have bonded as much as we did,” Minery said. That second meeting turned out to be pivotal. From then on, they saw each other weekly, gradually developing a deeper understanding and connection.
From Disney Sea to Forever
Many people have said that Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. For Dan and Minery, that proved to be true as their relationship officially began at Disney Sea. About two weeks before their trip to the theme park, Dan told Minery he loved her, but she didn’t say it back right away.
“It wasn’t until the end of our magical day at Disney Sea that I finally said, ‘I love you’ back. He then asked if we were officially together, and I happily said yes.” Looking back, Minery marvels at how a bit of encouragement from friends and family helped them grow closer together as a couple.
The Perfect Time to Pop the Question
Dan had been thinking about the best timing to propose since last year. He had many situations in mind but ultimately decided on two events: either during his birthday trip or during his birthday celebration with friends.
One of Minery’s dreams for her proposal was for her best friend to be there. Her best friend moved to Australia, which made the dream a little bit harder to fulfill. However, destiny had a plan. Her best friend had a short trip to Japan the week after Dan’s birthday, and they decided that would be the perfect time to pop the question.
The Proposal: A Year in the Making
Dan had been planning the proposal for a year. “I would always brush away the topic of proposals every time she mentioned it to me,” Dan admits. He wanted to keep the element of surprise. With her best friend in town, it was the perfect time. They planned a birthday celebration with friends, where Dan would secretly propose.
“We booked a place, made it like a real birthday celebration with food and drinks, and had all friends closest to our hearts present,” Dan shared. The plan was for Minery’s best friend to surprise her into a room, making her overwhelmed with emotion. But Dan decided on a different approach. Her best friend would arrive, they would pretend to be surprised, and then she would take Minery for a short walk while the rest set up the proposal. It took a village to orchestrate Dan and Minery’s romantic proposal story!
The night before the proposal, Dan was so nervous he couldn’t sleep. Minery, on the other hand, slept soundly. On the day of the proposal, Minery’s best friend arrived, and she was incredibly surprised. Dan’s surprise was genuine too, as Akiko’s boyfriend had also flown in from Australia. After catching up, Minery went on a walk with Akiko, and the proposal setup began.
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An Overwhelming Yet Memorable Day
Minery’s perspective on the engagement is filled with emotion. “Getting engaged was truly one of the most unexpected moments of my life, and it’s funny to think that I was the one who booked the place where it all happened—haha!” She was completely clueless about the engagement because Dan acted just as surprised as she was.
“Being the crybaby I am, I burst into tears when I saw Akiko,” Minery shared. After things calmed down, she went to the store with friends while Dan and the rest of their friends decorated the place for the proposal. When they returned, Dan surprised her and got down on one knee. “I was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t eat at all! Nonetheless, it was an incredibly memorable day.”
Advice for Future Proposers
Dan’s advice for gentlemen planning to propose is straightforward. “Make sure to pay attention to every detail they are saying, even if you pretend not to.” He emphasizes fulfilling dreams, saying, “You only get engaged once in your life and with the person you will spend the rest of your life with, so make everything count!”
Dan and Minery: A Story of Love and Pleasant Surprises
Dan and Minery’s romantic proposal story is a beautiful reminder of the joy of love and the importance of creating memorable moments. Their journey from an awkward sushi dinner to a heartfelt proposal surrounded by friends and loved ones is truly inspirational. For those planning their own proposals, take a page from Dan’s book: pay attention to the details, cherish the moments, and don’t be afraid to make it personal and memorable.
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