Charlotte knew of Russ -- a year older, blonde hair, played lacrosse (she was the stat girl), and had this swag about him. He got along with everyone. He roamed the halls of school with a large iced tea cup from Northport Deli. Did he ever have class??? She's still not sure. She was a junior, he was a senior, and it was February break. Them + a few friends went to Huntington and walked around. She couldn't tell if he was flirting or not, but she ended up with his number in her phone. The next night, he showed up at a party she was at, and she ran up and jumped onto his back. She was pretty sure they were flirting. On March 14, 2010, they made plans to hang out after Char took the SAT. It was a rainy day and they decided to get pizza and hang at Char's house. Russ came over to pick her up for pizza. He knocked on the door and she invited him in. She told him to wait there as she went to get her Mom, "he's here," she smirked. Russ and Suzie bonded instantly. Char sat across from them as she watched her Mom show Russ the new bulb she got and was excited to plant. He was genuinely interested in her love for gardening. They spent a few minutes together chatting before Char + Russ left to get pizza. Later that night, Suzie joked, "I like your new boyfriend." He was most certainly *not* her new boyfriend. The next day, we unexpectedly lost Suzie. Russ gave Char the space she needed to grieve. He'd check in, usually with long, heart-felt text messages, or brief stops at her lunch table. He had a way with words that made her feel so comforted. They started hanging out again, and by June they were a couple. They'd spend most summer days together, going out on Russ' boat, eating egg sandwiches with honey mustard, spending way too much money on rainbow cookies and linzer tarts, and going on dates nearly every night. Their love caught fire quickly. It was Char who said it first. A few weeks later, Russ let her know he felt the same by writing "I love you." on his hand and slyly asking her to check his watch for the time. Russ went away to Albany and Char started her senior year of HS. They'd video-chat every night, text all day, and send care packages to each other. Russ would surprise her with visits home by throwing pebbles at her window or creating intricate scavenger hunts that ended with him behind a public garbage can. Their love was so pure. If they knew one thing, it was that being together was better. They each transferred home from their upstate schools and continued their education locally. They started working for the same gym as personal trainers and moved in together at ages 22/23. After 6.5 years together, their love was solid. But they knew they had to follow their hearts. They decided to break up and move focus on themselves as individuals. Char got a corporate job and ended up in Astoria. Russ opened his personal training gym in East Northport. They spoke + saw each other occasionally, but mostly explored life as individuals. 2 years later, the two reunited. Their interactions became a bit flirtier, and they planned a trip to California "as friends." While vacationing together, they fell in love for the second time. They were those same high school lovers, but with a bit more life experience, clarity, and wisdom. Russ encouraged Char to follow her dreams and open a yoga studio. So she did. Breathe Strength was born in Astoria, and the couple maintained a "long distance" (LI to NYC) relationship while focusing on their businesses. Shortly after, COVID hit. Char closed her studio + the two of them renovated their #TinyFarmHouse and moved in together in Northport. Shortly after, they joined forces and opened Pulse Barbell Club. Russ proposed on 10/8/22. <3 If they can live in a tiny house + run a business together, anything is possible. The two cannot wait to include you in their love story this September.