Who could have known, that on September 4, 2015 one small favor would change the trajectory of our lives and evolve into what is now our beautiful love story. Demitrius had just transferred to Le Moyne College and was still finding his footing in Syracuse after moving from Washington, DC. In between classes, he decided to stop by The Plaza to grab a coffee. At the very same time, Arlaina—a Syracuse native and youth development professional who worked in the surrounding area—was sitting in The Plaza, enjoying a few peaceful moments before starting her shift. When Demitrius walked into The Plaza, he immediately notices Arlaina sitting alone at one of the tables (minding her business). Without thinking (and what he refers to as divine intervention) he walks up to her and says: "Hi, excuse me, do you mind watching my bag while I use the bathroom?" Now whether or not he actually had to use the bathroom, or was buying time to shoot his shot, has been a subject of debate for several years and depends on whose version of the story you ask, LOL. But nonetheless Arlaina agrees and waits (somewhat impatiently) for him to return.. after all she's gotta get to work! Once he returned, a simple thank-you turned into an easy, unexpected conversation. What started as a brief exchange quickly became something more. Since Arlaina hadn’t seen much of Le Moyne’s campus and Demitrius hadn’t explored much of Syracuse, they decided to stay connected and show each other around. From that day forward, a genuine friendship blossomed and they became very close over the next 8 months. At this point, they both can admit they began to develop stronger feelings for one another, but neither spoke about it or acted on those emotions—especially since Arlaina had just come out of a relationship, and at the time, neither of them was looking to rush into something new. As a result, there were moments of distance (and yes, a little ghosting) as they each tried to navigate their feelings on their own. Then came April 4, 2016—a night that changed everything. Demitrius invited Arlaina to campus so they could catch up and it turns out he had planned a beautiful surprise dinner, transforming his single dorm room into a cozy, and intimate space. He prepared a pineapple chicken teriyaki bowl, paired with aloe water and Relax Riesling Wine and poured his heart into every detail. Arlaina was completely shocked—by the thoughtfulness, the romance, and of course how delicious the food was! That night, they talked for hours, cuddled up watching The Originals and shared a tender, unforgettable kiss before falling asleep together..and yes we ACTUALLY fell asleep. The next morning, we went to breakfast at Rise n Shine Diner and made it official!! Since then, our love has continued to stand the test of time. What began with a simple favor has grown through seasons of change, growth, challenges, and joy. Together, we've learned what it means to be partners, in life, in friendship, in business and in love. We are so excited to celebrate our love with all of you and are so grateful for the ways you have shaped us and supported us throughout our journey.