As all great romances begin, so did ours on the World Wide Web (so says the Mother of the Bride). We met below a stuffed African Lion at a cocktail bar in Little Italy called Craft and Commerce, where we sat at the bar for 4+ hours, telling stories, cracking jokes, and duetting the R. K*lly deep cut "Same Girl." (Relax guys this was pre-cancellation). This was the first, but light years away from the last, obscure reference over which we would share laughs for the years to come. In the months and years that followed, it became glaringly obvious that we had discovered and grown something special. We conquered several karaoke nights together, bringing the house down each time, acting as each other's biggest fan on and off of the stage. We played music together late into the night, much to the chagrin (or delight?) of neighbors. We took day trips to the San Diego backcountry--Jake bought Emily her first pair of hiking boots. Emily brainwashed Jake into Buffalo Bills fandom. Jake returned the favor, baptizing Emily into a similarly long-suffering fandom, as an Evertonian (she swears she genuinely loves 4:30 AM kickoffs). We both integrated with each other's families, quickly learning that both the Ayres family of San Diego and the Assads of East Aurora, despite being on opposite coasts, felt like home. That's what led us here. The feeling of belonging, warmth, comfort, joy, and adventure. These feelings we hope to share with you on our wedding day--knowing each of you were part of our journey too!