It all began unexpectedly, the way the best stories often do. We joke and tell everyone we met “in jail,” but the truth is even more serendipitous. Ivan was teaching at a juvenile detention center in Washington, D.C., while Lizz was facilitating workshops for the District. Our paths crossed during a series of sessions, and while we exchanged polite greetings, we didn’t truly connect until Lizz’s last day there. As fate would have it, Ivan discovered we both had roots in Georgia—a detail he used as his opening line to “shoot his shot.” His charm, charisma, and confident personality caught Lizz’s attention, and from that moment on, our connection began to blossom. What started as a chance meeting in the Chocolate City quickly grew into a partnership rooted in love, laughter, and so many memories. From living together during COVID to exploring new cities around the country and indulging in our mutual love of pizza (Ivan eats the toppings, and Lizz takes the crust), every moment together feels like we are meant to be. Through the years, Ivan has been Lizz’s calm in the storm and Ivan brings spontaneity and laughter to Lizz’s life. We have grown to love each other for our similarities and our differences – truly the yin to each other’s yang. More importantly, we’ve grown to love each other for who we are. Because of this, together, we’ve built a beautiful life and can’t wait to see what the next chapters hold. Now, we’re preparing to say “I do” in the region where our love first blossomed, surrounded by our closest friends and family. Our wedding will be a timeless springtime affair, filled with elegance, laughter, and memories we’ll treasure forever. We can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter of our story with all of you!