We met in 2016 at Sonoma State. Still kids, still figuring out life, and still not aware of how our lives were going to change. I needed to declare my major, which meant meeting with an undeclared advisor. German just happened to be working the front desk that day. What started as small talk about traveling home, where “home” really was, and surviving the chaos of college somehow turned into the easiest conversation. It felt natural. Effortless. Like we had known each other longer than the five minutes we’d actually been talking. He helped me schedule an appointment with an advisor and gave me a few days and times to choose from. What I didn’t know then (but absolutely love now) is that he only offered times he knew he’d be working — just so he’d have a reason to see me again. When I showed up the following week, we picked up right where we left off. Same easy laughter. Same instant comfort. It already felt like something. Then life happened, and we didn’t see each other for a few weeks. I figured it had just been a sweet, fleeting campus moment. Until I got an Instagram follow request from someone I didn’t quite recognize. He went to Sonoma State, so I assumed we’d met in class and followed him back. What I later discovered was far more strategic: it was one of German’s roommates… and German was absolutely using his account to check out my profile. Smooth. Eventually, after a night out and a little liquid courage (and some persistent encouragement from his roommate Mikey), German decided it was time to make his move. Except instead of a smooth message, he accidentally created a brand-new group chat with Mikey and me and sent a string of completely random letters. An unforgettable first impression. Mikey and I, of course, have never let him live it down. He redeemed himself by sending a selfie of the two of them and asking me to hang out — and thankfully, I said yes. What started as a front-desk conversation turned into late nights, endless laughter, and the kind of love neither of us saw coming but both of us knew felt like home. And now, here we are — with years of adventure, laughter, love, and life lived. Now we’re getting married, FINALLY! We are so excited to have you with us as we start this new chapter of life! 💛