Alex and Byron connected over a shared love for service and education. Considering the service community is relatively small in Miami, Byron and Alex had a lot of shared friends in the area. This didn’t stop Byron from courting Alex like a typical Millennial through dating apps. After several failed attempts of connecting, Alex and Byron decided to go on their first date at a popular Spanish restaurant called “ Happy Wine in the Grove." There was an immediate spark as the couple realized they shared similar passions and family experiences. After a month of dating, Byron invited Alex to be his date for a friend’s wedding in New York. Little did they know Hurricane Irma had other plans for them. Determined to evade being stuck in a house for a hurricane, the couple decided to take a 23-hour road trip to the “Big Apple”. The trip consisted of a pit stop to Boone, NC to visit Byron’s friend Walker’s family home and an extended trip to explore NYC. This was a solidifier for the couple. During Byron’s friend’s wedding, he decided to ask Alex to be his girlfriend (sorry, Karlin and Anjum!) and express his love for Alex (that’s right, Byron said it first). After a few years of dating, living together, and connecting with each other’s families, Byron had bigger plans in mind. During Alex’s brother’s wedding, Byron decided to ask Alex’s Mom (Michele) and Dad (Dan) for their daughter’s hand (making bold decisions during weddings seems to be Byron’s thing). After receiving permission from all parents, it was time for Byron to put a plan in place for the proposal. It essentially consisted of many secrets, a fake surprise, and popping the big question at the St. Louis Botanical Gardens. Now the couple is excited to officially invite their close friends and families to celebrate their love in Mexico!