Congrats to Newly Engaged Aya Travel RN, Kathy!

The story behind these photos is rather remarkable. Kathy’s parents are originally from Cambodia, both refugees from the Khmer Rouge. Kathy’s fiancé, Brian, knew that the country held a special place in Kathy’s heart, and he wanted to head there for their first international trip together. Before they set off, Brian had asked Kathy’s parents for their blessing and when he got down on one knee at the beautiful  Bayon Temple, Kathy was in complete shock! “I had no idea what to do” she laughs,” so I ended up crying for a long time.”

As Kathy looks back on their vacation she says “It was a mind-blowing and culturally shocking experience for the both of us. Seeing how hard people work there, while maintaining a positive and humbling spirit…it really resonated with us, and made us appreciate our life here.”

Kathy credits her new fiancé not only with planning an unforgettable trip and the perfect proposal, but with her travel nursing career as well. When he received a scholarship from the University of Michigan’s graduate program they traveled to U-M together. Kathy stepped completely outside her comfort zone when she left her LA hospital for the Mid-West. The higher patient ratios have proved to be demanding, but totally worth it. Kathy explains, “Despite my original doubts, I ended up loving my travel assignment so much that I’ve renewed my contract 4 times!”