Our beginning . . .

We were 1700 miles apart when we first talked. We met a week later for dinner. Like a movie, time slowed down as she walked toward me with her gorgeous smile... We went back to the spot for a selfie.

Two days later we spent Sunday in Chicago. We seemed to have everything in common. Suddenly, we were inseparable. We were "that couple" that couldn't stop hugging and kissing, everywhere we went.

Without knowing it was Dilyana's favorite museum too, Liam planned an afternoon at the Dreihaus Museum. We seemed to have everything in common.

Then we lingered over gelato at Eataly, and Liam forgot the time for the sailing cruise he reserved on Lake Michigan. We arrived at the pier in time to see the ship sailing away!

Somehow, we got our tickets changed to the sunset cruise, a coveted twice-a-year event -- with live Brazilian jazz, which just happens to be one of Dilyana's passions.

We were learning that we both easily rolled with whatever happened. It was July 7, and it was a cold night! Bundled up together in blankets with margaritas, it couldn't have been more beautiful.

It was the most beautiful summer, spending every moment we could together, and if possible outdoors.

Among our friends, Dilyana first met Charlotte, Liam's dear friend from Isle of Wight...

Charlotte approved, and took beautiful photos of us together at Anderson Japanese Garden.

Moving in together just kind of happened. We stayed in Schaumburg for long dinners outdoors by the lake during the weeks, and weekends were for the porch and backyard with Tillie at our Harvard place.

Ivo and Liam got to know each other early on. Whether it's practicing driving, snorkeling, or tying ties together, Liam couldn't be prouder of becoming a stepdad to this amazing young man!

But it was a little hair-raising when Sashka and Tillie met, after Tillie had killed a skunk in front of us in Harvard. Somehow these two princesses achieved a respectful standoff, without a fight.

Among Dilyana's friends, Liam first met Andrew and Amy, at their baby shower, and they approved ... at least, enough for dear Andrew to agree later to be our officiant and marry us!

Then there was Seattle, for the wedding of Liam's nephew Peter, and Jasmine. Our first trip, and every moment was incredibly beautiful together.

Seattle had everything. Seriously, what could be more romantic than kissing in an alleyway covered with people's used gum...

... dressing up like James Bond, and Bond's perfect, beautiful companion from the other side of the iron curtain...

... and going completely unplugged together, trying goofy hats at a museum store?

We passed on the hats, but got our first house decoration together, a Zulu design bowl as a memory of Seattle.

In the meantime, meeting Liam online made Dilyana's colleagues Jeanne and Joann to ask for Liam's criminal background check. They finally got a big laugh when Dilyana gave them one later.

But now we had an important, big step to take, and we decided to take it in Mexico in August.

Typical airport breakfast on the way to Mexico: omelette & margaritas. Ivo ate the omelette, Dilyana and Liam had the margaritas.

We visited the ruins of a Mayan fertility shrine on Cozumel. (We know what you're thinking, but no, we weren't taking THAT big step!)

Dilyana's adventurous side came out! She snorkeled for the first time, and we swam through empty caverns between underground cenotes in the Yucatan.

Before or after snorkeling, we don't remember and who cares, we are happy by the water at the Corona beach bar in Cozumel.

And still, we were inseparable.

Liam planned to pop the question at Chichen Itza, but somehow the sweaty 100 degree heat, all the hawkers yelling "almos'free!" and the stench of the latrines in the jungle didn't seem romantic...

... so that night, Liam knelt at the end of a pier under the stars in Cozumel to ask the most important question of his life. Dilyana's answer came with a big ring, and two even bigger sappy smiles.

We almost added a large bird to our family, but she would not have been happy in Chicago.

So Liam and Ivo crashed in the waves one more time ...

We soaked up more sun at Punta Sur...

... and we went home to celebrate Liam's birthday -- with the most stunning gift from Dilyana -- caricatures drawn by Rousse artist Ognian Balkandjiev!

Mom arrived from Rousse, and our home and family were complete.

So we settled into our new home, planned a wedding, started renovating our two old houses, but will always find time to keep exploring together...

... and having our hot museum dates ...

...and cooking together - Liam cooks and Dilyana supervises with a glass of wine :)

And yes, we're still inseparable.