Paula and Demetrius first crossed paths in the summer of 2011 at the University of Missouri–St. Louis Welcome Center. Demetrius was working the front desk as a tour guide when Paula walked in with her mom and older brother to get a document notarized. What started as a quick errand, became something more memorable—because, of course, Demetrius couldn’t help but notice Paula’s beauty and presence, and he made it his mission to ensure she had a smooth transition into college. A few weeks later, while volunteering during freshman move-in, Demetrius recruited his Alpha brothers to assist Paula and her best friend (now Matron of Honor) Cece as they moved into the dorms. He also tried recruiting Paula and Cece into leadership roles within student organizations… but let’s just say, they were not trying to hear any of that at the time 😂. Still, even without signing up for committees or leadership, Paula and Cece showed up in their own way—consistently supporting Demetrius and the many activities he was involved in. Somewhere between front desk conversations, campus events, and casual run-ins, something real began to take shape. What started as a genuine, respectful friendship stood the test of time. Over the years, they had the rare opportunity to witness each other grow—organically, authentically and without pressure. With that growth came a deep sense of admiration and respect that neither of them could ignore. Eventually, that friendship turned into something more. After a few stints of dating here and there, Demetrius made it official in March of 2023, asking Paula to be his girlfriend with every intention of building a future together. And the rest? That’s the beautiful life they’re continuing to build side by side—one that you now get to witness and that they’re honored to share with you.