Ariel and I like to say we're living proof that the red string theory is real. Our story began in elementary school, just two kids who met in fourth grade, completely unaware of what the future had in store. Fast forward twelve years and countless little conversations along the way, we grew up and somehow found our way back to each other. While "love at first sight" is a classic cliché, for us, it was more like "love at first playlist". I'll never forget the moment Ariel let me pick a random playlist on his phone as he drove us to our first stop on our date. As each song played I thought, is this man my soulmate? In the days following our first date I would listen to that playlist on repeat. Now living in Austin, TX with our two pups, Lennon & Freddie, we continue to add songs to that very same playlist together. From that unforgettable first date, to this very moment, our journey has been filled with beautiful stories, endless growth, and so much love shared between two best friends. ~ Zoey

The moment I knew I wanted to marry Zoey was during our first cruise together. Everything felt so effortless, natural, and full of joy—it was clear how much we genuinely loved being in each other’s company. By February 2022, I started planning a surprise proposal, enlisting her family and friends to help disguise it as a going-away party. With my dad by my side, I went ring shopping and found the perfect ring—luckily available. The jeweler mentioned how rare it was to find that specific ring in stock and said it felt like it was meant to be. On April 23rd, 2022, at the going-away party before I began PT school in Texas, the stage was set. We had a karaoke machine, and everyone was enjoying the music. The highlight of the night was my extraordinary singing performance of "Grow Old with You," dedicated to Zoey. As the song ended, I got down on one knee and proposed, completely taking her by surprise. It was a magical moment we’ll cherish forever. ~ Ariel