Their story began in 2019 — the way many modern love stories do — online. At the time, Zack was immersed in politics and organizing, while Gabby was building her career in real estate. Somewhere between ambition, long workdays, and late-night scrolling, their paths crossed on Instagram. Neither of them remembers who followed whom first — and somehow, that feels fitting. It was never about who made the first move. It was about what unfolded next. A post Gabby shared caught Zack’s attention, and he reached out. At the time, his profile photo was a small cartoon icon, which meant Gabby had no idea what he looked like. Yet what began as a simple message quickly turned into something more. Their conversations grew thoughtful and layered — discussions about history, spirituality, and the bigger questions in life. There was depth, curiosity, and an ease that felt rare. Eventually, curiosity led Gabby to scroll through his photos, where she discovered the very real and very handsome person behind the cartoon image. But by then, the real connection had already formed. Not long after, they met in person at a small pizza spot in Pacific Beach — Felipe’s. The setting was simple, but the connection was undeniable. Zack was attentive and intentional; Gabby was engaged and confident. The conversation flowed just as naturally as it had online, only now there were shared smiles and the quiet awareness that something meaningful was beginning. Then came the Fourth of July. Early in their relationship, Gabby invited Zack to spend the holiday with her and her family. Though they were still getting to know one another, Zack didn’t hesitate. That evening, beneath a sky lit with fireworks, something shifted. Surrounded by laughter and warmth, what began as intrigue deepened into certainty. They spent the night talking beneath the stars as fireworks illuminated the sky — and in many ways, quietly falling in love. There truly were fireworks. From that point forward, everything felt steady and sure. Their relationship wasn’t rushed, but it was intentional. There was a calm clarity between them — the kind that doesn’t need convincing. Both knew this was not temporary. In 2020, they chose to build a home together. And in November 2024, in Washington, D.C., Zack asked Gabby to spend forever with him. She said yes. And the rest is the life they cannot wait to share. ✨