How it all began
Many stars were crossed through Covid, but for us, it aligned them. The small, studious world of a premed sophomore clashed with the adventurous world of an eager-to-learn junior at USC—and thus began Claira and Tony's story.
A Covid-induced Zoom class of a roommate was how Claira and Tony found each other. His curly, playful hair tumbling down an unexpectedly serious face held an intense, almost dorky enthusiasm, a contrast that brought Claira to a smirk. Claira’s newfound interest in watching the NBA, also born of Covid, was a great opportunity for Tony to pop the question, “You like Lakers?” They talked for days and nights. Late-night study sessions for Claira became pit-a-pat rendezvous, and Tony, who usually went to bed at 11, somehow became a self-asserted “night owl.” And indeed, their first date was a Lakers game.
Claira & Tony
Tony was Hamlet in unwavering devotion, though thankfully this story is not a tragedy. Their first date at a Lakers game, the bright lights shone over the bustling fans and dialed-in players, yet to Tony they were a spotlight on a stage, a soliloquy. As it always does, quests—stolen glances and nervous laughs in this case—had to be accumulated before the play’s climax. Tony eagerly completed his quests through study dates and “coincidental” lunchtime between classes. And his to be or not to be of love headed toward being.
Claira’s winter departure to Korea in late 2021 became the crisis of this play—the moment when the climax might have led to tragedy. But this Hamlet refused drama. On December 14th, 2021, we chose love, answering: love, live—live on through us, and be.
And so, from that moment to this day, that love, simply and stubbornly, has survived. Now, we wish to give it its forever home.
The Proposal
On February 10, 2025, Tony proposed to Claira on the island of Lanaʻi, Hawaii. The proposal was one touched by God. Each step was drenched in His blessings.
