On July 4th, 2023, sparks flew over breakfast—a first date and a first meal of the day that neither of us will ever forget. Despite having plans later in the day and Irene leaving for vacation the very next morning, we both walked away feeling excited, knowing we had met someone truly special. From the start, we connected over our shared love for family, friends, and the deep appreciation we have for our respective cultures. Leo’s Russian-Jewish roots and Irene’s Greek heritage brought a beautiful richness to our growing bond. The more time we spent together, the more we realized how much we had in common and how much we enjoyed each other’s company. Interest turned to like, and like quickly blossomed into love. The past 18 months have been filled with incredible milestones. Leo graduated with his MBA, and together we welcomed our first puppy, Stassi (short for Anastasia). We celebrated family moments like Leo’s nephew David’s college graduation and Irene’s cousin Gabby’s high school graduation—where Leo got to experience firsthand what Irene meant by her big Greek family. We also treasured visits from both Irene’s and Leo’s parents when they came to see us in North Carolina. In November 2024, life brought us to a new chapter as we moved from North Carolina to Rhode Island , following Leo’s promotion. And then, on December 12th, 2024, Leo created one more unforgettable milestone. In the magical setting of Quebec City, at a beautiful French restaurant aptly named Le Saint Amour, he asked Irene to spend forever together. Now, we can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of you. In October, we’ll gather to honor not just our love story, but the love we share with the people who have been part of our journey. We’re so excited to have you join us and make memories together on this special day!