Chrissy: We met in modern-day fashion --- online! After establishing that neither of us minded that we shared the same first name, we were on the phone every day for two weeks getting to know each other. When we finally had our first date, Chris was so excited to pick me up from the front door that he forgot he had flowers for me in the car! The first stop on our date was to the Zoo, where I worked up the courage to bump my hand against his until he finally held it. The date was going so well that we continued it over dinner. We both expressed how much we loved watching UFC fights, so after our meal, we drove out to Long Island to watch the fights live! Our first date was over 12 hours long, and after that, we knew we had truly found our match!

Chris: I knew I wanted to marry Chrissy from the first time we spoke. I took my time and waited to experience all different aspects of the relationship. Months passed, then years, and our dynamic kept getting better and better. The night I bought her ring, I showed it to her mother, just to make sure Chrissy would love it (I also couldn't contain my excitement). The next day, I asked Ray and Laura to dinner. We met at Spirito's in Elizabeth. This restaurant was the place that Chrissy's great-grandparents went on their first date. When I finally asked her parents for their blessings, I felt ready to pass out from nerves. Ray surely didn't make it easy for me. Before giving an answer, Ray and Laura got Chrissy's sister on FaceTime to include her in the conversation. Lauren was so happy and gave her approval. It was a true Szpond Family affair. It felt like forever until Laura looked at Ray, gave him the nod, and Ray gave me their combined blessing. Now, all I had to do was pop the big question to Chrissy.

Chrissy: I had the feeling that something was up when everyone seemingly lied about their whereabouts earlier in the week, but my suspicions were confirmed when my mom insisted on manicures before Chris took me out for "date night". My stomach was doing back flips as I got ready. When I walked to the car, Chris opened the passenger side door for me, as he so often does, and as he walked around to his side of the car, I leaned over and opened the door from the inside (Bronx Tale, anyone?). Little did I know, he hid the ring inside his door! I was clueless, but he had a mini heart attack. As he drove to the restaurant, I recognized the route, and knew we were going to Spirito's. When we sat down in the booth near the back wall, Chris hoped and prayed that none of the waitresses would recognize him from earlier in the week and blow his cover. Poor Chris, he was pale as a ghost, he was so nervous! He started talking about how much he loved me, and how our relationship has grown, and all that we've been through together. Teasingly, I cut him off and asked, "Are you breaking up with me?" I knew he was doing exactly the opposite, but I couldn't help cracking a joke! Next thing I know, Chris is down on one knee and asks, "Will you marry me?" My heart was in my throat and I wanted to shout YES from mountaintops, but instead I totally blanked and planted a giant kiss on his lips and started to happy-cry. He stared up with nervous trepidation until I finally remembered my words. YES!

Since our engagement in 2019, so much has changed! We purchased our forever home together later that month, and welcomed our furry best friend, Kora, into our lives less than a month after that! It hasn't just been our lives changed, though. COVID-19 impacted the entire world since early 2020, causing everyone to re-evaluate everything that they had previously taken for granted. It forced people to introspect, and take a good strong look at their lives to determine what actually matters. For us, it's close relationships and fundamental building blocks of love, support, and encouragement. To our family and friends: It would mean the world to us for you to be there and celebrate with us at our wedding. We value your love, support, and encouragement, and cannot wait to see you this October!