Erika and Elie first met on the very first day of sixth grade at Westwood Christian School in Miami. Life was simple and a little awkward, but even then, their paths kept finding their way back to each other. As middle school turned into high school, shared classrooms became shared laughs. Erika teased Elie about surprise quizzes and insisted the sky was purple just to watch him argue back, while he pretended he hadn’t read the history chapters and asked her to explain them anyway. Somewhere between school days, studying, and laughter, a genuine friendship quietly formed, one that by graduation had grown into something undeniable. Starting college side by side made the unknowns feel less overwhelming. They watched each other dream, question, and grow, slowly discovering who they were meant to be, always offering encouragement and steady support. In 2023, those dreams led them to Detroit, Michigan, where Erika started medical school and Elie began his career as an engineer in the Motor City. In September 2025, Elie planned a proposal worthy of their story, complete with a little misdirection. He casually mentioned they’d be going on a Ferris wheel before dinner, which immediately set off alarm bells for Erika (and mild panic). As she silently wondered why on earth he would choose a Ferris wheel for such an important moment, Elie instead led her through a nearby park. There, at sunset, she was met with a candle-lit carpet leading to a heart of roses overlooking the Chicago skyline. And with that moment, the next chapter of a story years in the making began.