We're getting Married!

3 January (2019) - At the time, I had no clue how special this date will become, apart from the fact that it was the day I started my new job. I remember I felt very confident, yet somehow scared at the same time - still I was very excited to meet my new colleagues and make a great impression. As I walked into the office, the first person I saw was Dani. I don't usually notice a person's eye colour, but I did notice his blue eyes - nice, tall, blonde guy in finance with blue eyes - I declared myself intrigued. The next thing I know - he was also asigned as my buddy! I felt like all stars are aligning - at least until our first lunch together. Let's just say that it was not love at first bite... (I'll save some stories for our toast as well :)) Over time though, our interactions grew from borderline polite to slightly bizarre (like being offered a water to increase my work productivity or a grapefruit known for its negative calories qualities - excuse me?!) and then from friendly to small romantic gestures (like showing up with my favourite flowers to pick me up from the airport or surprise birthday trips). It all culminated with the grandest romantic gesture a girl could hope for - the most perfect and magical proposal on 3rd of January (2024) closing the loop on 5 perfect years together. Now we are about to start a new adventure, filled with a lifetime of borderline polite, bizarre, friendly moments and small and grand romantic gestures together!

It was her first working day in Zurich, when I met Ilinca. She walked into the office with an air of determination, yet there was a softness in her eyes that drew me in instantly. As her Buddy, I was tasked with helping her settle in, but little did I know that she would end up settling into every corner of my heart. Soon enough, I went from helpful colleague to certified annoyance, blowing air to clean my keyboard, sharing words of wisdom and randomly presenting her with grapefruits. From little teases it did not take long to escapes at La Stanza, where dim lights, and clinking glasses provide the perfect backdrop for our buddy friendship. Memorable escapades to our common story are many. One of them, the Zurich fest - where Ilinca bravely took a ride on a rollercoaster - amidst her screams, I saw a spark of excitement that indicated her love for adventure and her willingness to step out of her comfort zone. Our relationship blossomed beyond the confines of the office. Skiing became our shared passion, and St. Moritz our second home. The adrenaline rush of racing down the slopes, followed by the cozy warmth of apres-ski, brought us closer together with each trip. Travel became our escape, our way of exploring the world together. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene beaches of Hawaii and Costa Rica or the historic Plaza de Mayor in Madrid, we navigated new cultures and experiences hand in hand. Through it all, I knew I had found something special in Ilinca. She was more than just a colleague, more than just a friend. She was the missing piece I never knew I needed, the missing chaos and sparkle in my daily life. And now, as I stand by her side, ready to become her husband, I know that our adventures have only just begun.