We met the way all great love stories should begin—on an epic trip with good friends. Greece was the setting: ancient Athens, the ruins of Olympia, and multiple islands scattered across the Mediterranean. Between chasing sunsets, wandering cobblestone streets, and sharing way too much feta, we became close friends. A year later, we found ourselves off on another adventure—this time through England, Ireland, and Wales. Somewhere between countryside drives, cozy pubs, and trying to understand local accents, something shifted. It only took two trips across the Atlantic, multiple Mediterranean islands, and four countries for us to realize this was something more than friendship.

A few years later, I (Ricky) decided it was time for one more unforgettable journey—this time to Venice, Italy. The city itself was magical, but I had one moment carefully planned. On our last morning in Venice, just as the sun began to rise and the canals shimmered in the early light, I led Celena to a quiet little bridge—the only one in the city without side rails. With the world still asleep and the air perfectly still, I got down on one knee and asked her to spend forever with me. She said yes—before coffee, no less! The adventure didn’t end there. From Venice, we continued on to explore Bologna, Florence, and Rome—with a little extra sparkle in our step.