First Choice Trophy: A Symbol of Transformation in Love Redesigned
What Is the First Choice Trophy?
The First Choice trophy is a physical object Dahlia Muñoz gives to Julian Lopez on Christmas Eve, as described in Chapter Fifty-Five. It is a larger, engraved replacement for the “Second Best” trophy Dahlia awarded Julian years earlier during their high school rivalry. The new plaque reads “First Choice” instead of “Second Best,” signaling a complete reversal of their former dynamic.
The trophy reappears in the Epilogue, six months later, when Julian reveals he has carved a hollow space inside it to hide an engagement ring. He uses the trophy itself as a prop for his spontaneous proposal, making the object central to the novel’s closing romantic gesture.
From “Second Best” to “First Choice”: The Trophy’s Evolution
The “Second Best” trophy originated as a taunt during Dahlia and Julian’s competitive youth. Julian kept that trophy for over a decade, even after their estrangement. In Chapter Twenty-Nine, Dahlia’s phone contact for Julian is saved as “SECOND BEST,” showing how the label stuck in her mind long after high school.
When Dahlia crafts the new trophy, she deliberately inverts the old insult. The size increase and the “First Choice” engraving declare that Julian is no longer her rival but her priority. This gift arrives at a moment when their relationship has moved from casual to committed, as earlier in the same chapter Dahlia calls Julian her boyfriend for the first time. The trophy thus crystallizes the emotional shift that has been building throughout the renovation project and their shared history.
The Trophy as a Token of Commitment
In Chapter Fifty-Five, the gift exchange takes place on Christmas Eve with both families present. Dahlia nervously hands Julian a wrapped box. When he opens it and sees the “First Choice” trophy, he is visibly moved, fighting a tight throat. Their kiss draws reactions from family—Nico retches, their mothers coo, Lily sighs—underscoring that this public declaration is witnessed and approved by their support network.
Julian’s reaction highlights how much the gesture means to him. He has kept the original “Second Best” trophy all these years, and Dahlia’s gift acknowledges that she now values him in the same way he has valued her. The trophy becomes a tangible seal on their restored relationship, replacing a negative memory with a positive one.
The Proposal Hidden Inside
The Epilogue shows Julian returning the trophy to the center of their story. He wakes Dahlia on a Saturday, leads her on a scavenger hunt that ends with him holding a music-box trophy. He cranks the side, and their song plays as he produces the ring from inside. His spontaneous proposal speech calls her his rival, business partner, best friend, challenger, and “the biggest, brightest green flag.”
Dahlia’s reaction in the narrative reinforces the trophy’s meaning: “Julian was and always will be my first choice, and I plan on spending the rest of our lives showing him that.” The trophy here is not just a sentimental object but a symbol that their entire story—from competition to love—has been leading to this moment. By hiding the ring inside, Julian merges the trophy’s original purpose (acknowledging their past) with its new purpose (sealing their future).
Connections to Themes and Characters
The trophy ties into several of the novel’s core themes. It represents second chances, because Dahlia chooses to rewrite the old slight rather than discard it. It also connects to grief and healing, as both characters have lost parents and are learning to build new emotional bonds. The trophy’s journey from insult to proposal mirrors Julian’s own arc from guarded architect to vulnerable partner, a key part of trust and vulnerability.
Character-wise, the trophy reflects Dahlia’s growth in self-worth—she no longer needs to compete with Julian; she can openly choose him. For Julian, the trophy confirms that his decade-long devotion (shown in his pro-con list from Chapter Forty-Four) has been reciprocated. The involvement of both families in the wedding underscores the family and community theme; Dahlia’s sister Lily adds a yellow rosebud in memory of their father, and Julian’s grandmother Josefina officiates.
Four Study Questions with Answers
1. Why does Dahlia choose to give Julian a trophy instead of a more traditional gift?
The trophy format directly references their shared history of competition. By replacing “Second Best” with “First Choice,” Dahlia transforms a hurtful artifact into a loving one. The gift shows she understands Julian’s emotional language—he is a planner and a competitor—and she meets him in that space rather than avoiding their past. The trophy also allows her to make a public statement in front of both families, reinforcing that her choice is no secret.
2. How does Julian’s proposal inside the trophy connect to the idea of “first choice” introduced earlier?
Julian uses the same object to propose, physically placing the ring inside the trophy. This action literalizes the phrase: Dahlia is not only his first choice for a partner, but the trophy itself becomes the vessel for their engagement. The proposal also echoes the scavenger-hunt format of their earlier competitions, blending their playful rivalry with a serious commitment. Dahlia’s internal response—“Best checkmate ever”—confirms that their competitive energy now fuels their romance.
3. What does the trophy reveal about the role of family in Dahlia and Julian’s relationship?
The Christmas Eve gift exchange is a family event; everyone from Nico to both mothers is present and invested. The trophy’s reveal sparks collective reactions, showing that their love is celebrated within their community. Later, the wedding is organized by family members, with Josefina officiating and Lily providing the bouquet. The trophy thus represents not only a personal reconciliation but a reunion of two families who support the couple.
4. In what way does the trophy challenge or reinforce the theme of self-worth for Dahlia?
Dahlia’s self-worth has been damaged by past failures and a struggle with depression (seen when she drinks alone in Chapter Twenty-Seven). By giving Julian a trophy that declares him her first choice, she asserts her own value: she is capable of making a decisive, generous emotional gesture. The act of choosing him openly is an act of self-affirmation. Later, accepting his proposal shows she believes she deserves happiness. The trophy therefore tracks her journey from viewing herself as a failure to embracing her role as a beloved partner.