While we met through her friends from PA school on 4th of July weekend, a neighborhood Fantasy Football league and a friendly wager led Chiara and I to our first date. We were scheduled to play against each other, and I decided to shoot my shot. I suggested the loser of our matchup buy the other a round of margaritas. Luckily for me, she accepted the bet. We met at Playa Mesa a few weeks later for what was supposed to be a quick drink, but it turned into a 5-hour dinner that only ended because the restaurant was closing for the night. As soon as we started talking, I instantly felt a connection with Chiara. She was so easy to talk to and we bonded over our love for family, hiking, outdoor adventures and tacos & margs (if you've been to one of our dinner parties, you know this to be true). I remember walking Chiara to her car and getting the infamous side hug (which I still never let her live down). We didn’t know then, but that night set the foundation for what was going to become a beautiful relationship. After our first date, our friend groups collided at bonfires, Ducks games and Saturdays at Mutt’s, which meant we spent a lot of time together. I quickly saw the benefit of being neighbors with her PA classmates. Those big group hangouts, slowly turned into intimate brewery dates, walks around back bay, and endless card games. Then Chiara let me know she was moving in across the street and we were about to become neighbors. I thought to myself, this was either going to work out great or not at all (spoiler alert – we hit it out of the park). Since that first date at Playa Mesa, our relationship has grown from just friends into a deep love with a lifelong partner. From the countless road trips (where she sleeps and I drive), skiing adventures, 5AM workouts, long walks, new travels, and love for good food, we wanted to experience everything that life had to offer, together. The process of falling in love with your best friend is an amazing experience. Our love grew from a sincere respect for each other as friends, into a love that is supportive, comforting and dependable. At the same time, we are not afraid to challenge each other past our comfort zones. In this, we have not only grown as individuals, but we have grown together, which has strengthened our love for one another. Life is truly beautiful when you find your person. We wouldn’t be here without the amazing people who have supported us along the way, and we cannot wait to celebrate with each and every one of you!