We first crossed paths thanks to a little modern magic and mutual curiosity. In May 2022, we had our first date at Bad Owl coffee shop. It was a perfect imperfect first impression, Carlyn arrived 30 minutes late, and Justin’s Gen Z-inspired outfit had her raising an eyebrow. Judgments quietly formed on both sides, but everything softened over an identical coffee order (Oat-chatas, of course) and surprisingly great conversation. The first meeting was chill, maybe a little too chill. With no exchange of numbers and no clear next step, it was uncertain whether we’d see each other again. But turns out Justin did have plans: a second date on the pickleball court (complete with post-match pizza and a now infamous tummy ache), a spontaneous invite to a wedding as his plus-one, and a NIKI concert that sealed something quietly meaningful between us. Life kept moving, and so did we. In January 2023, Carlyn bought a condo, and even though the relationship was new, Justin jumped in without hesitation, laying new floors, painting walls, and helping turn it into a warm, shared home. The true moments where our love blossomed were here cooking in our matching aprons, racing through the NYT Mini Crossword, and dancing and singing across the living room. Looking back over the past three years, our lives have seamlessly woven together - countless trips, holidays, and family gatherings where being each other’s plus-one became immediate second nature. Life was so exciting that the main question of “Will you be my girlfriend?” was never asked. So July 2025 Justin finally made it official by asking Carlyn to be his girlfriend, giving her a full 2 minutes before getting down on one knee asking her to make it a lifetime of coffee dates. Now we’re here, excited for the life ahead. We’re looking forward to hosting loud, joyful dinners, continuing to explore the world, and someday designing our dream home. Family has always been central to our story, and we can’t wait to continue growing ours. We are beyond grateful for the journey that brought us together, and even more excited to celebrate it with you!