Athan and Melinda’s story began in September 2021 at a wine festival in Cleveland. Athan was working at the Esber Beverage tent, pouring wine for festivalgoers, while Melinda attended with a close group of friends. Athan vividly remembers serving sparkling wine to a young woman in a large straw hat. Melinda recalled him as quiet—quite unlike the Athan she would later come to know. Later that evening, Athan wandered around the festival, hoping to see her again, but their paths didn’t cross. A few months later, fate intervened. Athan started a new job in Cleveland, and on his first day, he was introduced to his coworkers. To his surprise, one of them was the “straw-hat girl.” Athan immediately recognized her. Weeks later, Melinda asked him if he had ever attended the Crocker Park Wine Festival. Athan laughed and told her he had worked at the event. Intrigued, Melinda pulled up photos from that day, and there he was in the background, pouring wine. She finally realized he was the person serving her Ziraldo Prosecco. For Christmas that year, Athan brought homemade baklava and a bottle of wine for each of his new colleagues, carefully selecting Ziraldo Prosecco for Melinda. Their friendship blossomed quickly. “Athan was so easy to talk to,” Melinda later shared. “We spent hours chatting at work and during our commutes. I didn’t realize I liked him at first, but my heart knew long before I did.” Their connection deepened when tragedy struck. Athan’s mother, Katherine, passed away, and Melinda, along with the rest of their co-workers, attended the funeral in Canton to support him. Melinda recalled sitting in the church pew, admiring Athan’s strength during such a difficult time. “To know Athan is to know how deeply he loved his mother,” she said. Determined to support her grieving friend, Melinda drove to Canton weeks later for dinner with Athan. They laughed and talked late into the evening, and by the end of the night, the two were inseparable. As they grew closer, Athan invited Melinda to his church’s Greek festival, where she met his friends and family. She was struck by the sense of community and knew she wanted to be part of his world. But their relationship was soon tested again. Shortly after the festival, Melinda received devastating news: her younger brother, William, had passed away unexpectedly. She was with Athan when she got the call, and he was there to support her as she grieved. The early days of their relationship were marked by shared sorrow. But their mutual support during these difficult times forged an unbreakable bond. But the challenges didn’t end there. Less than a year into dating, Athan was hospitalized for a week, but Melinda stepped up to care for him. Athan later returned the favor when Melinda underwent a total hip replacement, by becoming her caretaker, supporting her with patience and love. As they prepare for their wedding day, the words “for better or worse, in sickness and in health” already hold deep meaning. Over the past two years, they have lived and embraced these vows each day. Grateful for everything they have experienced together, they look forward to a lifetime of love and partnership.