Alex and Cameron met their second day of high school in their study hall class. Alex remembers Cameron for her beauty and presence. Cameron remembers Alex because while he was feverishly debating the differences between the mathematical constants of tao and pi, a senior took Alex's pen right out of his hand. Despite this interesting introduction, Alex and Cameron went on to become good friends and eventually began dating at the end of their sophomore year of high school.

After graduating high school, Alex and Cameron each pursued college education: Alex at the University of Florida, and Cameron at the University of South Florida. For a year, each of them frequently made the two-hour drive to see the other. After a year, Cameron transferred to the University of Florida to finish her Bachelor's degree. In the next five years, Alex and Cameron finished their degrees, began their careers, and made countless memories together. After their time in Gainesville, they decided to move back to Tampa. There, Cameron became a teacher at her childhood elementary school (alongside her and Alex's mom), Alex continued to work in public health research, and they welcomed their chaotic new dog, Fabio, into their lives. During these seven years, Alex and Cameron loved to travel together, including their first vacation together in Washington DC and two trips to Italy. At home and in their travels, Alex and Cameron's relationship grew strong. They made lifelong memories together, and ultimately decided to start a new chapter of their lives before a big move to Chicago.

Alex's original plan was to wait to propose during an upcoming trip to the south of France. As soon as Alex received the ring, however, he knew he couldn't wait and had to propose immediately. Knowing how meticulous Alex is, this moment of spontaneity was unexpected, but invited! Cameron had planned a date in downtown Tampa for the both of them, and Alex decided to add on to the date. Alex and Cameron spent the morning walking around the University of Tampa and enjoying river walk, then over to a breakfast cafe downtown. After breakfast, they drove back by Hillsborough High School, reminiscing on how they first met. Alex suggested they stop by a lake where they used to spend time in high school. They discussed how their future would change in the upcoming months after moving to Chicago for Alex's PhD program. Then, Alex said how he thought this was the perfect spot to start their future together and proposed. Genuinely surprised, Cameron asked if he was "for real" several times, said yes, then sobbed.

Riding the excitement of their engagement, Cameron and Alex packed up a U-Haul, and together with Fabio, drove from Tampa to Chicago to start this new chapter. Alex began his PhD program, Cameron continued teaching, and all three of them (Fabio included) learned how to survive midwestern winters. In Chicago, Alex and Cameron love to explore different neighborhoods, eat great food, and make many new friends. As their wedding nears, it serves as a perfect moment to reflect on almost ten years together.