Our love story began in 2019, in the beautiful coastal city of Alicante, Spain. We met while studying abroad—two people from different places, brought together by sunshine and serendipity. What started as friendly conversations over tapas and late-night walks along the beach quickly turned into something more. We didn’t just fall in love with Spain—we fell in love with each other. When our programs ended, we returned to our lives back home. But even with miles and time zones between us, we knew this was something worth holding on to. For a year and a half, we navigated long-distance love—countless FaceTime calls, virtual dates, and planning visits just to spend a few days together. It wasn’t always easy, but through it all, our connection only grew stronger. In 2021, Michael made the big move to Illinois to be closer to Nikki, and for the first time, we got to build a life together in the same city. From ordinary days to once-in-a-lifetime moments, they realized home was with each other. Then in February 2024, Michael proposed—and Nikki said yes! We began planning a summer wedding for June 20, 2025, excited to celebrate with their parents on a sailboat in Maryland. But life, as it often does, had a twist in store. After Michael injured his ACL and needed surgery, we made the difficult decision to cancel the wedding ceremony. But it was okay—because everything worked out just the way it was meant to. On February 7, 2025, we got married at the courthouse. Just the two of us, filled with joy and the kind of love that doesn't need anything extravagant to feel complete. It may not have been the wedding we originally imagined, but it was everything we truly needed. Now, we’re happily married and so grateful—for the winding path that brought us here, for the lessons we’ve learned, and most of all, for the unwavering love and support from all of you. We may not have followed a traditional path, but our journey has been rooted in trust, laughter, resilience, and a whole lot of love. Thank you for being part of it. With love, Nikki & Michael