We met in September of 2013, in our studio class at the University of Hartford. There were many late nights of studying and drafting, and Konover runs (if you know, you know). We became friends. There were lots of laughs and corny pick-up lines (which Maria loves). We were friends for only a few months before we realized we didn't want to be just friends. And so here we are seven years later, preparing to become one before God and all our loved ones. We can't wait!

It was the first day of Spring, our 5-year anniversary. Dante had planned we go for a walk through the Botanical Garden at UNCC, and then go out for a nice dinner. Maria just wanted to order in - it was a Wednesday. She figured we would celebrate that weekend, but Dante insisted. As we walked through the garden, Dante, very seriously, started talking about how far we had come in our relationship. Maria was worried, he's never this serious. She wondered what could be wrong. Nothing was wrong. Everything was right, actually. He got down on one knee in front of the pond in the middle of the garden and popped the question. All the while Milad hid behind the tree that he and Dante had scoped out the night before, capturing the moment for us to keep forever.