Our story began in Chicago on July 10th, 2020, in the most unexpected way, during the height of COVID, at a place neither of us would normally have been. Somehow, despite all the restrictions and uncertainty, we found each other. Like many good stories, ours wasn’t perfectly linear. We spent time together, went our separate ways, and then found our way back. From that moment on, everything quietly and surely led us here. Life together has been full in the best way. We share a love for traveling, especially anywhere warm, spending time with our families and friends, and of course, life with our sweet Maya. No matter how much time we spend together, even if it is 24/7, we never grow tired of one another. Our days are filled with constant laughter, ease, and a kind of love that feels both grounding and exciting all at once. The proposal was perfectly us. After a lovely anniversary dinner, we took our usual walk to what we call “our spot” along Lake Michigan. Aliya, being the Monica of the relationship, had a feeling something was about to happen, especially as it was July 10, the day we first met. Michael, a little overwhelmed in the moment, forgot everything he had planned and simply got down on one knee and asked, “Aliya, will you marry me?” With one of his friends quietly capturing the moment, the three of us, Michael, Aliya, and Maya, stood together under the Chicago summer sky, with fireworks lighting up Lake Michigan. It was simple, imperfect, and everything it needed to be. Since then, it’s become a tradition. Every time we return to that spot, Aliya asks Michael to share one new reason why he wanted to marry her. Choosing Italy for our wedding felt like a natural extension of our story. It has been a dream of Aliya’s since she was a little girl, inspired by her love for Andrea Bocelli and the romance of Italy. With our shared love for Italian culture, food, cars, and travel, it couldn’t have felt more right. We intentionally chose to keep this celebration small and intimate, just our closest family and friends coming together for what feels more like a special getaway than a traditional wedding. Our hope is that this weekend is not only a celebration of our love, but a time to slow down, be present, and create something truly meaningful together. Because at the end of it all, this isn’t just about how our story began, it’s about everything still waiting for us ahead.