NEWMAN — For Anastacia “Ya-Ya” Munoz, August 6 began like any other summer day. The high school teacher had returned to campus to prepare her classroom for the new school year, caught up with students, and headed to her usual nail appointment downtown. What she didn’t know was that her fiancé, Isaiah Mar, had been orchestrating a surprise that would turn the heart of their hometown into a stage for one of the most meaningful moments of their lives.
As Munoz stepped out of the salon, she was greeted by the first of many familiar faces holding a sunflower and playing “How Does She Know” from Disney’s Enchanted. It was the first clue in a carefully choreographed proposal that would unfold along a stretch of downtown Newman, lined with 40-plus friends, family members, and students, each handing her a sunflower—her favorite flower—as she made her way toward the West Side Theatre.
“I felt an overwhelming sense of community and love,” Munoz said. “It was like walking through a memory of everyone who’s been part of our story.”
The couple’s story began long before that day. Both Munoz and Mar grew up in Newman, where their families were neighbors and Isaiah played sports with Munoz’s younger brother. Though they didn’t connect deeply until after college, their paths had long been intertwined—through family, community, and even the local theater scene, where Munoz once directed Isaiah’s younger brother.
Their relationship blossomed after a few chance encounters at the gym, where Isaiah and Munoz’s brother worked out together. “He messaged me after a couple weeks, and we started seeing each other,” she recalled. “Eventually, we became official—and then decided to take the next step.”
That next step was months in the making. Isaiah had originally planned to propose during a summer trip, but when travel plans shifted and the ring was delayed, he pivoted. With help from both families and a deep understanding of what mattered most to Munoz—community, theater, Disney, and sunflowers—he created a moment that was both intimate and grand.
“He really listened,” Munoz said. “The little details—the music, the flowers, my students, the marquee at the theater—it was all so thoughtful. I was just so impressed by the effort he put into it.”
The proposal culminated across from the West Side Theatre, where Isaiah stood and delivered a heartfelt message that culminated in “Will you marry me?” Munoz, overwhelmed and emotional, said yes—though she admits she didn’t even notice the marquee asking Will You Marry Me until after the fact.
“I was so focused on the people and the flowers,” she laughed. “But when I saw it later, it just made everything even more magical.”
The couple is now planning a spring 2027 wedding and exploring venues. While they describe themselves as “indecisive,” one thing is certain: their love story is rooted in the town that raised them.
“I’ve kind of known since the beginning,” Munoz said. “With Isaiah, I feel at home. I don’t have to be on guard. All my troubles just melt away.”
For Munoz, the proposal wasn’t just about the ring or the moment—it was about the people who showed up, the memories they’ve shared, and the future they’re building together.
“It was a celebration of love, yes—but also of community,” she said. “That’s what made it unforgettable.”
