We met in 2019 in Brooklyn. Do or Dive was the plan, but it was packed, so we headed next door to Dynaco (RIP). A great bar, good vibes, and the perfect place to sit, talk, and accidentally meet your person. At the time, Larissa (aka Lars) was jaded, committed to a strict two-drink maximum, and deeply skeptical of this tattooed guy trying to strike up a conversation. But instead of smooth lines, Alex showed up as genuinely kind, curious, and fully engaged. The banter was instant. The teasing was elite. The laughs came easy. Lars was not prepared for that. Rules were still rules, though. After two drinks, she stuck to her plan, hopped in an Uber, rolled the window down, and confidently yelled, “See ya never.” What she meant was, “I hope to see you again.” Somehow, it worked. On our second date, Alex took me to a wine bar and showed early signs of being dangerously thoughtful. He remembered that I hate cheese puffs, but since he’s a big chip guy with deep Frito-Lay roots, he brought an entire jar anyway. Wine was poured, conversation flowed, and cheese puffs were casually thrown to unsuspecting neighbors. Somehow, it worked. From there, Alex won Lars over not with elaborate gestures, but by showing up. By being consistent. By calling just to check in. By always keeping it real. Along the way came Mets games, football Sundays, punk and Oi shows, long dinners with friends, and Otis, Alex’s dog, who quickly became ours. Loving Otis eventually meant welcoming Thad, and just like that, the four-pack fit perfectly. Six months in, we traveled to Italy and had the time of our lives. That’s when Lars knew. The years that followed brought cross-country moves, Ireland, California, big milestones, and even bigger laughs. Now, after six (yes, six+) years together, we’re so excited to celebrate our love with our family and friends. Time flies, but love like this sticks.