…began when we first met at a mutual friend’s housewarming party in 2015. Unlike most love stories, it was not love or like at first sight. Christine actually found Steve annoying. It was evident that we are polar opposites with Christine being more reserved, serious, and a bit rigid - and Steve being more outgoing, goofy, and care-free. We reconnected at a friend’s birthday brunch in 2016. This time, we were able to talk more. We found out that we shared more in common than we originally thought. We both had a love of travel and the outdoors. We also appreciated each other’s unique senses of humor. A few months later, Steve asked Christine out on a date. For the past five years, we explored countless cities together and hiked various trails across the country. As time flew by, we realized that our opposite personalities balanced and complemented each other. We were the perfect adventure and life partners! We easily knew that this would be a forever deal!

Those who know Christine understand that it’s really difficult to surprise her. Christine knew that a proposal was coming, but did not know the details of when and where it was going to happen. Steve enlisted the help of our good friend, Nick, and Christine's twin sister, Liz, to help plan the entire surprise! One day, Nick planned a brunch at Christine and Steve's first date spot - Farmers Fishers Bakers. Because Nick offered that brunch spot, Christine did not think anything of it! It also helped that Liz did not have their shared camera with her. Christine knew that she would've had the camera if the proposal was going to happen. As Nick was driving the group to brunch, there was a surprise text (that was automatically read out loud through the car system) from Steve to only Nick and Liz, stating that there were no available parking spots in Theodore Roosevelt Island. Nick and Steve panicked, and Christine asked why he sent a text about the island when they were going to Georgetown. Throughout the brunch, no one mentioned anything and Steve was calm, cool, and collected. So Christine forgot about the mishap from earlier. After brunch, Nick left immediately to go to his mom's house. Steve, Christine, and Liz walked across Key Bridge to catch the metro home. However, Steve all of the sudden suggested that they stop by Theodore Roosevelt Island. Christine knew at that point. As the group walked towards the island, Liz peeled off to the side. Steve led Christine to a bridge and that is when Steve popped the question! Surprisingly, Nick had rushed to the island to hand off the camera to Liz - who took the proposal photos. So everything was meticulously planned - even though there was a funny hiccup along the road. It was the perfect way to pop the question, and we would not have it any other way!

We would like to take the time to thank each of you who have supported us throughout our relationship and have impacted our life in some way. We are excited to start this new chapter in our lives! We are looking forward to celebrating our special day with our beloved friends and family!