We're getting married!

This story begins in Ms. Johnson’s kindergarten class, where 2 four-year-old's – Heather and Dimitri – shared a childhood kiss. That day, Heather ran home to declare to her mom, “I’m going to marry the blonde-haired boy from school one day!” Little did she know, the universe had been quietly taking notes. --- We grew up in the same town, attending the same schools, moving through the same hallways; but life kept us as acquaintances, friends in passing. There were stolen glances, quiet smiles, and secret crushes neither of us dared to confess. Childhood affection, suspended in time. After high school, our paths diverged. Dimitri went on to study aviation, learning to fix the planes that carried dreams across skies. Heather pursued design and marketing, shaping ideas and creativity into something new. For a while, it seemed that kiss in kindergarten might be the only memory we would ever share. Then, twenty years later, the universe brought us back together. Out of the blue, Dimitri reached out. And just like that, a conversation that had begun decades ago picked up where it left off – and never stopped. Two hearts, older and wiser now, recognizing each other across time. Our first date felt like the start of our own movie: Mexican food, laughter, and Heather failing – fashionably – at driving Dimitri’s manual car. (She broke it. But it’s a story we’ll never forget.) Even though miles separated us – Maryland to North Carolina – distance never mattered. From the very first day, we were inseparable. Now, we share a home in North Carolina, surrounded by the chaos and joy of our animals, laughter echoing through our days. We are each other’s best friend, confidant, and soulmate. We believe, with every fiber of our being, that we have found each other across lifetimes, and that this love will carry forward into all the ones to come.

In 2024, we took a dream trip to the West Coast, exploring San Francisco and the towering redwoods of Northern California. Heather had always wanted to see the redwoods – a lover of trees, and a fan of Twilight – and Dimitri wanted it to be unforgettable. After a scenic drive along Highway 101 in a convertible Mustang, stopping to admire cliffs, beaches, and charming towns along the way, we arrived at a cozy Airbnb with a front-row view of an alpaca farm. We could step outside and feed the alpacas, chickens, pigs, and cats – perfect for two animal lovers. Our plan for the first full day in NorCal was to hike the Avenue of the Giants, then spend the next day at the Lady Bird Johnson Grove, taking photos in nice clothing and enjoying the sights. But Heather noticed that Dimitri seemed nervous. Instead of following the original plan, he suggested switching the days – and it turned out he had secretly hired a photographer to capture the proposal and had mixed up the dates! Heather knew an engagement was coming – she had gotten her nails and hair done before the trip and had picked out a special dress – but how Dimitri would do it remained a mystery. That morning, we both got ready in our nice clothes. Dimitri must have asked Heather five times if his hair looked okay, pacing back and forth while trying to appear calm. After a short drive, we began our walk in the Lady Bird Johnson Grove (mind you, Heather was in heels). Heather expected a simple photo session, stopping to take nice couple shots along the trail – but Dimitri insisted on doing a full loop first. In reality, he was searching for the perfect, off-the-beaten-path, spot to propose, all while the photographer discreetly followed, capturing every moment. Once Dimitri found the spot, he turned Heather around, and took her hands. He began to profess his love and adoration, explaining why he wanted her to be his partner forever. Then he asked, “Are you ready?” Heather, with tear-filled eyes and shaky voice, whispered, “Uh-huh.” On one knee, Dimitri asked, “Heather Marie, will you marry me?” She said yes! ❤️ The rest of the day felt like magic. We took photos among the redwoods, explored the grove, enjoyed lunch by the ocean, called our families, and celebrated with the most delicious meal of our lives at Larrupin’s Café. It was just the two of us – entering into forever in a moment that felt perfectly ours. --- We loved Northern California so much that we will be returning in June 2026 to celebrate our wedding ceremony in the Muir Woods with our immediate family! Our wedding reception will follow in October 2026 with friends and loved ones.