We met for the first time as we arrived in LA to head to Peace Corps Tonga. Originally, everyone from the group had already met through Facebook; however, Michael was the anomaly and insisted that "they didn't need to know him". Neither of us thought much of the other person, and Michael was even attempting a long distance relationship. (He insisted they were made to last). Fast forward three months, and Michael lost a girlfriend but gained Dengue fever). Quite literally he was a hunk of burning love at a 103 degrees. Chiara was the one who Michael called. (Michael would also like to point out that Chiara traveled to Singapore to ignite a childhood romance that turned out to be a wet match that could not be lit). So, being single on spits of land held together by a monarchy, love blossomed (quite literally we found love in a hopeless place). Some would ask, why? But like a great philosopher once said: "Once you go country, everything else is dumpy." -Michael Tonga was just the beginning of our adventure. From our humble beginnings as volunteers where running water and chezdale cheese was viewed as decadent, we grew as partners. We saw each other at our best and worst: from dengue fever to allergic reactions, to enduring brutal ferry rides, to swimming with whales, camping on deserted beaches, and finding the joy in simplicity. From Tonga we went to inner city Baltimore, which was even more challenging than Peace Corps. However, despite the crazy raging on around us at the bar across the street, and the struggle of working for Baltimore city public schools-we were finally able to put two years of long distance behind us. We created a home and took on every unique curve ball Baltimore had to throw at us, together. As we move into our married life, we are excited to be in a new home, with happy jobs, great friends and family. We can't wait to begin our next chapter by being surrounded with loved ones from around the globe. 'Ofa lahi atu! -M+C