We’re getting married!!!

Anna and Alex first crossed paths in the summer of 2012, when what seemed like just another family vacation turned into something neither of them could have predicted. Anna’s family spent their summers in Turks & Caicos, while Alex’s grandparents made a tradition of taking the whole family somewhere new each year. That summer, both families happened to end up in the same place. On their first afternoon, Alex—along with his brother and cousin—decided it would be a great idea to recruit as many people as possible at the pool bar for a round of “pool shots.” Shocker…. In the middle of their efforts, Alex noticed a beautiful blonde girl walking by. Feeling just bold enough, tried to pull her into the group. Her response immediately caught him off guard: “Umm… I’m 15.” Alex was kicking himself…. Instead of bailing on the pool shot, admitting he was only 16, and trying to talk to her, he got nervous and aborted the mission. Despite the bump in the road, the boys still managed to rally most of the pool and quickly made friends, including a guy named Raymond. While talking, Raymond asked if they had their eye on anyone. Alex quickly responded, “Yeah, that girl over there!” Pointing to the blonde girl who turned him down. Raymond replied, “That girl, huh? Hey Anna, come over here.” Alex was immediately nervous. How the heck did this guy know her?!? The girl walked over, and Raymond said, “Anna, this is Alex. Alex, this is Anna—my little sister!” Little did Raymond know he’d be responsible for introducing Anna to the man she’d marry 15 years later. The rest of the trip, Alex and Anna were inseparable. As the week went on, their families grew close, and plans were already being made to return to Turks & Caicos the following summer. No one was more excited than Anna and Alex, who stayed in touch all year—texting, calling, and even mailing letters to each other. When they reunited the next summer, they picked up right where they left off, spending every moment together. But as life pulled them in different directions, they eventually went their separate ways. Still, the connection never fully faded. Fast forward to 2017, after four years with little to no communication, fate and a little nudge from Anna’s mom, Donna, would bring the two back together for the first time. Anna & Donna were in LA for Anna’s spring break. Donna, always fond of Alex and knowing he went to school in Southern California, encouraged Anna to connect with him. Although hesitant, she did and it would reshape the course of their relationship forever. In spending a couple days together, they quickly reignited that fire! A year and a half later, in 2019, Alex was in Atlanta for the Peach Bowl and invited Anna to meet him. This time, there was no hesitation—and, as always, they had an amazing time together. Then in 2020, Anna visited Alex in California, where they spent two unforgettable weeks picking up right where they left off. This time, they decided they were done letting time and distance get in the way. They committed to each other—and to two years of long distance—traveling back and forth across the country until Anna moved to California after finishing her master’s program. And the rest is history.