We're getting married!

We met through a Facebook group for photographers and models in Detroit. It all started when Ali booked a group photoshoot at an AirBnB in Amherst, Ohio called Bock's Jukejoint. She posted looking for creatives to join the group, and Russ answered the call. In fact, we decided to carpool, having never met in person. After a total of 5 hours together in the car and a full day of shooting, we were fast friends. We spent the next three months slowly getting to know one another, and even took a road trip together around the entire Michigan coast - just as friends, but that was when we both realized we could be more. A few days later, the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown happened, so we quarantined separately for a couple weeks. When it was clear that we were both healthy and we could safely visit, we finally admitted our feelings for each other. We have been inseparable ever since!

In early 2023, we decided to take our first international vacation together. On May 13th, we flew to San Jose, Costa Rica. We spent the first night in a dome tent high in the mountains, overlooking the jungle along the Gulf of Nicoya. The next day, we drove to La Fortuna and stayed in a shipping container turned into a tiny house at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. There, we hiked to a waterfall, soaked in the natural hot springs at a spa resort, and toured the jungle via hanging bridges. On our fourth day, we drove to the coastal town of Tamarindo, where we stayed in a private bungalow on the beach. On our fifth day, we watched the sunset and then went to the beautiful Mother Earth Vegan Hotel for a fancy dinner. When we arrived, we were treated like royalty. We had the entire place to ourselves except for the attentive staff. They served us a stunning and delicious four course gourmet meal. In between the entree and dessert, Russ excused himself from the table. Suddenly, the music changed to "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers. Russ reappeared with a bouquet of red roses, followed by two of the hotel staff with cameras. He got down on one knee, opened the ring box, and told Ali, "We're meant to be together," then asked her to marry him. Without hesitation, she breathlessly exclaimed, "Yes!"