“Shit yes!, oh my god I mean no, I mean yes, sorry yes!” Our story started in a van, coming home from the movies, August 11th, 2013. Alex had just missed Emma's exit off the highway and Emma was trying to tell him to take the exit at the same time. Concurrently Alex asked Emma to be his to girlfriend. Of course Emma didn't mean to scream "shit" in response to him, but rather in exclamation of missing the exit. But of course that’s what happened. Emma and Alex met through high school band. Emma played the french horn and Alex played the saxophone. They also were in marching band and their section was combined together known as the "Meltors." Their friendship eventually led to more.

During the winter holiday, Emma and Alex found themselves caught up in a cozy yet unexpected adventure. They decided to take on the cooperative video game called, "It Takes Two." Little did they know that this would have them staying up day and night and giggling hysterically. Emma, not the most seasoned gamer, often found herself in need of Alex’s help as they tackled the game’s tricky puzzles. But Alex, ever patient, would guide her through each level or just take the controller. Emma and Alex stayed up late into the night, playing as if they were two kids at a sleepover—wrapped in blankets, surrounded by takeout pizza aka "Tomato Brothers" from Howell (if ya' know, ya' know). The hours slipped away as they worked together to finish the game, and when the credits finally rolled, they realized they had not only completed the challenge, but had also created a lasting memory that felt as special as any holiday tradition.

After 11 years together, Emma and Alex knew it was time to take the next step—mostly because they were finally ready to file taxes jointly. (All jokes.) The decision to get engaged wasn’t filled with surprises or grand gestures; it was just the right moment for them. Emma was working abroad in Europe at the time, and although it wasn’t a traditional proposal, it felt perfect for them. They had both picked out matching rings ahead of time, knowing that Emma would wear an engagement ring and Alex would wear one too. People often asked Emma if she knew Alex was going to propose, but the truth is, neither of them felt the need for a dramatic surprise. They didn’t hide anything from each other, and they felt the engagement would be something they both decided on together. Some might think this takes the romance out of it, but for Emma and Alex, it was exactly what they wanted—intentional and grounded. They decided to exchange rings at Amsterdam's Horticulture Gardens on November, 9th, 2024. They stayed engaged in their own quiet way for a week, savoring the moment before announcing it while in Scotland, one of their favorite places. Their engagement story might seem boring or anticlimactic to some, but for them, it was everything. There’s comfort in predictability: in knowing they could always rely on one another to be on the same page.