We're Getting Married!

Alina’s POV: We technically met before we actually met, two students at Manchester University crossing paths during our Riley Dance Marathon Club without realizing we’d someday fall in love. Then Tinder did its thing, and before long we found ourselves sitting across from each other at El Mez Mexican Grill in our tiny college town… DEFINITELY pretending not to be nervous. What started as easy conversation quickly became the kind of connection that felt natural from the beginning. He became someone I could fully laugh with, dream with, grow with, and simply exist beside without ever feeling like I had to be anyone other than myself. Dilyn created a kind of love that felt grounding, the kind that gives you space to grow into yourself while always knowing you have someone beside you cheering you on. Somehow, Tinder and tacos turned into building a whole life together: moving in after college, planting roots in South Bend, adopting Yoshi, working side-by-side from home, traveling whenever we can, and creating a home that feels warm, creative, and safe for everyone who enters it. Falling in love with him felt a lot like finding peace in the person you least expected, and now I can’t imagine life any other way. ✨ Dilyn’s POV: I knew Alina from Riley Dance Marathon at Manchester, but I was too shy to actually say anything to her. Meanwhile, she already knew I could get DOWN AND JIGGY on the dance floor. Eventually I downloaded Tinder and we matched. I remember being so stressed about making a good first impression that I spent like an hour making the perfect Spotify playlist before she got in my car. Thankfully it worked out because we liked a lot of the same music. Shoutout to Rihanna for helping me out there. We went to El Mez in Manchester for our first date, and now we basically can’t stop eating Mexican food together. ❤️ Together, we’ve built a love that feels steady, supportive, and deeply ours. Through everyday moments, long conversations, and growing side by side, we’ve learned how to show up for each other and create a life that feels like home. We’re so grateful for the people who have loved and supported us along the way, and we can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter together with all of you!

On Valentine’s Day 2025, we spent the evening at a couples workshop at Board & Brush, and Alina had absolutely no idea what was coming. Dilyn had secretly coordinated with the staff ahead of time to help pull off a surprise proposal during the workshop. Dilyn chose a decorative tray with painted leaves, and Alina picked out a floral clock. As the workshop went on, he grew more and more anxious to pop the question without her suspecting a thing. Knowing how Type-A she can be, he had to be extra sneaky. Once both projects were painted, the staff took Dilyn’s board back to “dry quicker” by the fans. Little did Alina know, they were actually painting the BIG question on the back of his project. By this point, Alina had already finished painting and sealing her clock and was getting impatient to head home for snuggles with Yoshi. The employees finally brought his tray back out and asked if “everything looked good.” Alina stared at it in confusion because of course it looked good. The staff encouraged us to take a closer look, just to make sure everything really seemed right. That’s when Dilyn flipped the board over to reveal the message, “Will you marry me?” painted on the back of his tray. This is the moment Alina completely blacked out from excitement. She has spent years planning and pulling off surprises for the people she loves, but for the first time, someone managed to surprise her, which is no easy task. To top it all off, we came home to a house beautifully decorated by Dilyn’s mom, Tina, and his aunt and uncle, making the moment even more magical. For a little while, everything else faded away and it was just the two of us, soaking in the feeling of stepping into the next chapter together.