It all began in December of 2019 when they first met for margaritas and tacos, setting the perfect tone for a relationship filled with laughter, love, and plenty of good food. From that first date, it was clear they had something special, and as they spent more time together, they quickly discovered how perfectly they fit. After completing his service in the Navy, Kenneth went on to earn his degree in electrical engineering from USF. Meanwhile, Alicia was making strides of her own completing her pre-law degree and earning a well-deserved promotion to Legal Analyst, followed by a more recent move into the HR team. Kenneth continued to challenge himself outside the classroom too, by crossing the finish line at first half marathon and not one, but two full marathons. Through every challenge and milestone, big or small, they've been each other's biggest supporters. Their support has gone beyond the everyday, like when Kenneth proudly encouraged and supported Alicia as she made the brave journey to the Ukraine–Poland border to volunteer with the Polish Amry and Red Cross and help refugees shortly after the war broke out. No matter the goal or the distance, they’ve always stood by each other, offering unwavering encouragement and love. They’ve also built a life filled with love and joy thanks to their fur babies. They adopted Peaches, their sweet but sassy cat who stole their hearts from the moment they met her. They continue to share their lives with Clark, Alicia’s loyal dog who’s been by her side long before they even met. Fast forward to December 5, 2024, when they found themselves in the charming city of Strasbourg, France. Kenneth’s proposal was absolutely magical and perfectly timed. They were on a dream trip, visiting the alpine Christmas markets with stops in Germany, Austria, and France. Of all the destinations, Alicia had been looking forward to Strasbourg the most, having heard so many wonderful things about it and how it’s known as the Christmas capital of Europe. When they arrived, it truly didn’t disappoint. The festive atmosphere was beyond anything she could have imagined. The proposal itself happened along the river in a charming part of town called La Petite France, or "Little France." The river was lined with beautiful German-French architecture, creating the kind of fairytale scene you only see in movies. It felt as though they were visiting the village where Belle from Beauty and the Beast lived, or like they were stepping into a fairytale. In that moment, with the glow of Christmas lights and the peaceful flow of the river, Kenneth asked Alicia to be his forever.