Christina and Charles met through mutual friends in the Greek system at USC in the fall of 2010. Charles, a Phi Psi, and Christina, a Delta Gamma, were right across the street from each other! After first being introduced at a Phi Psi party, Charles approached Christina in the campus center one afternoon while she was studying for fall semester finals. They found out they were both from South Orange County, went to rival high schools, and grew up only 10 minutes away from each other, but had never crossed paths until college despite knowing many of the same people. Charles told Christina they were going to hang out every day over the winter break, which Christina laughed off at first. But Charles followed up just a few days later, inviting Christina to come to his family's annual Christmas party. After an evening filled with an abundance of wine and Christmas cheer, Charles spontaneously started playing Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" on the family piano and Christina began singing in front of the dwindling guests. Christina was blown away at Charles's musical ability and Charles was smitten with Christina's singing voice. Following the Christmas party and over the remainder of the winter break, Charles and Christina continued to get to know each other. Upon returning to USC for the Spring 2011 semester, they began dating exclusively. And the rest, as they say, is history...

After enjoying a summer vacation together in North Lake Tahoe during Summer 2015, Christina & Charles promised each other they would come back to enjoy Tahoe's winter festivities. While Christina didn't know it, Charles had secretly been planning that he would propose to her during this next trip. Since no family members or friends would be there for the proposal, Charles coordinated his vision and plan with the Ritz Carlton's generous event staff while trying to keep Christina unsuspecting (NOT very easy!). That afternoon, Charles & Christina went snow-shoeing on a hiking trail several miles from the hotel. After several hours, they headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner, hot coco, and ice-skating in the Northstar Village. As they walked towards the gondola that would take them to the village, Charles pulled Christina into a private patio area overlooking the vast mountain ranges and Tahoe pines. Nervous as could be, Charles got down on one knee, popped the question and Christina said YES! After lots of laughing, crying, and hugs we couldn't wait to tell our family and friends. It was the most memorable day/trip of our lives and we couldn't be happier and more excited to start our lives together!

_______________________________________________________________________________