April & Blake met on one bright summer day at Huntington Beach when mutual friends (shoutout to Zach & Catherine) brought our respective friend groups together. A firm handshake was all it took to pique Blake's interest. He reached out on Facebook messenger, and when things moved over to text, both parties knew where things were headed. Abundant messages were exchanged and daily hangouts were had all summer long; ’twas the best time being young, wild, and free~~~ But as summer came to a close, reality kicked in. April was to leave Southern California to start Optometry school in Berkeley, which was a long distance away from the Conejo Valley that Blake was tied to. On their final summer day together, no sad words were exchanged; only well wishes and love. April and Blake went their separate ways, never thinking they would meet again... But you know that’s not how the story goes... One random night in Berkeley about 3 months later, April dialed Blake's number and they struck up a conversation as if no time had passed. April was going to be home for Thanksgiving break; thus, a dinner date was planned. After that date, they were never to be separated again... UNTIL a few days later when April had to return to Berkeley for school. But this time, she wasn't returning solo (figuratively). This time, she returned with a sense of hope for a future with Blake. Blake felt the same. The two lovebirds did the long distance dance for over a year, Blake often making the 6 hour drive to visit April on the weekends. It was hard, it was tiring, and it was often sad, but the moments they were able to spend together, even if just on Facetime every night, made it all worth it. Many late nights talking are probably why their young brains did not fully develop due to the lack of sleep leading to the memory issues they both have now. But wait! A new development in their story! A year and a half into long distance dating, Blake began searching for job opportunities that would bring him to San Francisco. A U-Haul was rented, and the move was made. Blake was officially a Berkeley man working in the city. The next year and a half was filled with movie nights, scooter rides, and weekend trips that would not have been possible if they had continued to be long-distance. That time in Berkeley was so precious to April and Blake as a couple (though quite damaging to them individually due to the stresses of school and work)...which is why the next chapter of their story is so heartbreaking... January 2020: COVID-19 hits & April and Blake find themselves back home in Southern California, each living at their parents' houses. April was in her last year of Optometry school, and Blake was transitioning to working from home. A residency position in Orange County fell into April's lap, and she took it! What a twist! However, this separated the couple once again, though this time only by an hour and a half. Weekend drives up and down the 405 took its toll, but it strengthened their bond. One year of residency later and April was finally a working woman. You would think there would be a new development to their story at this point but not really...Blake and April continued to live at their respective parents' houses for THREE WHOLE YEARS. Some would say they saved a lot of rent money...some would say they were insane. It was a long 3 years filled with ups and downs, happy and sad, parental nagging, and more nagging. But alas, they survived and came out of it stronger than ever. Blake proposed to April on Christmas Eve 2023 in his parents' backyard and April thought it was perfect. They were wed in an intimate ceremony at the Santa Barbara Courthouse on August 8, 2024. They had been together a total of 8 years at that time. Now, one year later from the “I do’s,” they continue their love story with a celebration of their first year of marriage, joined by all of the people they love the most. And as for what comes next? Only time will tell~ XOXO, Gossip Girl