Welcome!

In light of the fact that Ava Perez planned every other aspect of this wedding, I (Chris) was given the honor (tasking) of writing our story from my perspective. Here it goes: It was summer 2013 – more specifically, college move-in day – when I first met my future wife, Ava. Although I didn’t know her name at the time, when I looked into her eyes from across the hallway, I instantly caught butterflies in my stomach and thought she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I also figured she was likely out of my league. So, after that initial one-way encounter, I did what many young men do in college, which was to regale my new homies with tales of the emerald-eyed baddie on the 2nd floor and seek their counsel on the best approach forward. As you might guess, they didn’t think I stood a chance of going out with Ava, but shooters shoot, so I walked back down the steps toward her dorm room. Our first conversation started well! Ava was genuine, funny, down-to-earth, and intelligent. I learned Ava was a Roanoke girl, a state champion (eye roll), knew the good party spots, and was single. As our conversation progressed, she cracked a few smiles and laughed, so I decided it was time to make a move and ask for her number. Ava’s reply: “HAHA Chris, you are so CORNY and cocky. I don’t think you need my number.” I had faced rejection many times before this, but this one stung. I thought, “How could she possibly think I’m corny?” While I still haven't figured out the answer to that question, I realized there was something authentic about her and that sassy retort. So, I embraced the friend zone for the foreseeable future. Fast forward two years to peak internship season in DC. The boys had decided to hit a club on U St called Brixton. I was tired and living in Baltimore, but my friend knew the one phrase that could get me out of the house, “We’re pregaming at Ava’s place.” So, I jumped in the car to drive to DC in the middle of rush hour in hopes of getting closer to Ava. The word nervous does not begin to describe how I felt when I saw Ava that night, which could have contributed to why I opted for some liquid courage. I knew that I had to make an impression on Ava before 4th year, or else we would be good friends for the rest of college. So, as the bar closed around 2:00 a.m., I told my good friend/acquaintance, Ava, that I had loved her since talking to her in the hallway during our 1st year. Although I don't recall Ava's exact response to my confession, I believe it was a mix of panic and disbelief followed by confusion about whether I was joking or not. I doubled down on the confession, and the bar closed. The next morning in a nearby IHOP, my best friends sat me down to deliver a well-deserved roasting. The homies unanimously agreed that it was time for me to give up the dream of getting out the friendzone. Later at the start of my 4th year of college, I received a message from Ava. It said, "Random, but do you want to be my date to a sorority party tonight? We can wear togas." Beginning with that seemingly random text message asking me on a toga date night, Ava and I began a beautiful 5-year relationship. On December 4th, 2022, I organized for Ava and some close friends to have brunch at Bluemont Vineyard – a favorite DC Saturday morning tradition. During pictures, I bent down to surprise Ava with a prepared proposal and a beautiful speech. Instead of remembering the remarks I had practiced and rehearsed, I got caught up in the moment and reverted to my Brixton days, once again telling Ava that I had loved her since meeting in the hallway 1st year and asking her to marry me. Lucky me, she agreed this time! We hope this story gives you all some insight into our love journey from day 1 of our meeting. We are so excited to celebrate with everyone that has supported us over the years, and we can’t wait to laugh and dance the night away with you all on June 3, 2023.