10/21/2024
Kim and Aidan met other while working together at Guest Services at the Irvine Spectrum Center, circa October of 2018. Aidan was her trainer. Mmm, very interesting! It wasn't long in getting to know one another that they discovered a shared passion for the video game that was a favorite for both of you--Kingdom Hearts.
Then one night, Kim was working at the giant Ferris wheel as the operator at the controls, and Aidan was carefully loading guests into the gondolas. As the guests laughed and screamed as the lighted wheel went 'round and 'round, they both helped next-in-line customers, talked casually, played the question game, and practiced their air volleyball skills. It was in that moment that Kim felt a spark as she thought she wanted to know this man more. Instead of waiting for him to make the first move, Kim did the millennial thing, found Aidan on Facebook and Instagram, and slid into his DM's. That fateful day? November 14, 2018.
Eventually, Kim convinced Aidan to give her his number and promptly asked him out to the movies. Their first date? Two weeks later, when you saw watched the “romantic” flick “Wreck-It Ralph 2” together. It was the “perfect first date,” they agreed, co-mingling their mutual love for Disney movies. It brought forth lots of nonstop smiling. That first date led their first road trip together, holiday celebrations, meeting family and friends, moving in together, getting two cats named Cloud and Scooter, and saying "I love you" to one another. But we're getting a little ahead of ourselves, aren't we? There's more to this love story. In February 2019, on Aidan’s birthday, Kim planned out a whole day for him--brunch on the beach, then Fashion Island, and test driving a Tesla for fun, all which made for a memorable day. The cherry on top was the end of the evening theater viewing of “How to Train Your Dragon 3.” Aidan loves dragons, Kim explained, so that was a no-brainer. Kim lso confessed: “That was the night where I accidentally let it slip and admitted that I loved Aidan for the first time. However, because of Aidan’s selective hearing, he didn’t hear it and I was worried I would be rejected if he heard it. About a month later he went to Vegas with his Irvine Spectrum coworkers and had some liquid courage and drunkenly texted me that he loved me. I personally loved the texts from that night and was glad I knew that he loved me, too, even if it was thanks to his friend Alcohol. The next day, Aidan called me while he was at the pool, sober this time, and admitted he actually, truly loved me.” AWWWW!
That “I love you” led to that aforementioned first road trip together visiting Zion National Park, parts of Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and Phoenix. The proverbial couple's intimacy question of “Do you travel well together?” was answered with a resounding “YES!” After that road trip, Kim started nursing school, which she admitted was one of the darkest times of her life as it was filled with stress and anxiety, along with being within a whisker of dropping up or being kicked out. She was grateful for Aidan's unconditional love and support and that of your folks.
Then COVID hit, and Kim had to move home during the lockdown to live with her parents. The months of isolation and having to endure a long-distance relationship turned out to be an incubator allowing their love for each other to grow stronger. Once the lockdown lifted, they decided to move in together during the Fall of 2020 with some of their closest friends, Justin and Sarah, who were both members of their bridal party.
Caring for COVID patients as a nursing assistant through the winter of 2020 was a monumental challenge for Kim, and Aidan was at the same time starting his first accounting job in Irvine. Graduation from nursing school came for Kim, and a new job as a neuro trauma unit nurse in Long Beach was the result. The two of them moved to Long Beach to live together, and Aidan did the long commute to his job in Irvine. It was a sacrifice of love on his part, leaving behind his family and friends in that city so Kim wouldn't have the long commute while being emotionally and physically drained after demanding 12-hour shifts.
So is there a proposal story coming anytime soon? I'm glad you asked. You betcha! Aidan discloses all the details in his own words: “Love is a powerful emotion that makes you do crazy things. In 2022, I had a crazy idea: it was time to propose to the love of my life. Kim and I wanted to go to Colorado for vacation. Kim had never been to Colorado, and I had an idea to make this trip extra special. Thus, I started a four-month proposal plan. I was able to sneakily plan my proposal when Kim was asleep for her graveyard shifts when she used to work at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. Luckily, I was able to hide the engagement ring at my parents' house if Kim decided to do a random 'spring cleaning' before vacation, which she did. I contacted a college friend, Audrey Elliott, who lives in Colorado. We were able to catch up, and when I asked for her help, she was more than happy to assist.
“Audrey and I devised a plan to schedule a night when we all hang out when Kim and I were visiting Colorado. It allowed Kim to meet Audrey, and they both hit off. Once the night ended, Audrey suggested she could be a tour guide when we went to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs and took pictures. On November 2nd, 2022, we explored the Garden of the Gods. I suggested taking more photos at this resort, which has a great view of the Garden of the Gods. I told Audrey the secret code I would say to signal her when it was time to make a proposal: 'Can we take one more picture?' I said the secret code, pulled out the ring, got down on my knee, and asked Kim for her hand in marriage. Kim was caught entirely off-guard, but it didn't stop her from giving the biggest smile and replying yes! She was highly impressed. I outsmarted her since she is a nurse who needs to think of many possibilities, plus she is very detail-orientated.” Well done, Aidan!
So yesterday, pre-sunset, with the chandelier and trees lit in Meadows wedding site at the Los Willows Wedding Estate, Aidan and Kim made it official. He entered via the venue's electric sports car/golf cart with AC/DC "Back in Black" blaring. I shared their long but fun love story, led them in their exchange of vows and rings, listened along with everyone else to them read their personal and poignant love notes to one another, and after a final reading, pronounced them as husband and wife. Their first kiss was Mr. and Mrs. was long and passionate, but tasteful. They headed back up the aisle as the new Mr. and Mrs. Arguelles, ready for a memorable reception before jetting off to Hawaii for their honeymoon.
Truly a fantastic couple with who to collaborate on making their ceremony a special one. Happy Honeymooning to Team Arguelles!