As young folk often do, we met online in Durham NC; she was drawn to his kind eyes, and he was stunned that such a beauty had arrived in his inbox; she was a college student and ballroom dancer, and he was a charming bachelor. Our first date went well and more soon followed. Nicki was studying to be a software engineer, which Chris happened to already be, and we bonded over this and other things like escape rooms, video games, and being insufferable foodie snobs. After getting to know each other for several months, with hopeful uncertainty we drove to a peaceful remote cabin near Boone NC for a short stay. While the three-hour journey was filled with giddy energy and awkward pauses characteristic of a new relationship, the drive back a mere a weekend later was marked by warm and comfortable silence. Something special had begun, and we first professed our love for each other soon after. In summer of that same year, our closeness grew yet more. We found it easy and comfortable to be around each other. Nearly every day we met, and found ourselves often unwilling to drive home. After a year and change of this, we moved together to Utah. A big step! We were both a bit daunted by the unknown, but once living together was underway, we realized our fears were unfounded. An island girl and a southern boy: us sky-crossed lovers flew west and east to meet between our homes on neutral ground, and stake a claim to happiness. We wondered and we hoped. We got a little bernedoodle pup too, Basil, who has taken up much of time of late, and who is now about one-year old. In the summer of 2025, we took a cruise to Alaska, and Christopher had smuggled a secret diamond into the luggage. Aboard at the end of an evening, having returned to our room, relaxing on the balcony to the sounds of a lapping wake, he proposed and heard "Yes!" Now we invite you to celebrate with us as we officially start the next chapter in our love story. See you soon!