After graduating from Holy Cross, Paulina moved to Phoenix, a place she had never been, to begin a year of service with AmeriCorps, living and working with unhoused women. A month prior to her big move, she downloaded Hinge and set the location to Phoenix, "just to see what the boys looked like." James, a Phoenix native, had graduated from Santa Clara and moved back to his home city to begin a job in corporate real estate. After their first FaceTime that lasted till the sun rose the next morning, Paulina told her youngest sister Kate she had met the love of her life. James took Paulina on their official first date, a museum and dinner, as soon as she stepped foot in Phoenix. He knew the pretzels and fondue from Culinary Dropout would seal the deal, and he was right.

James had planned to propose at the Portland Head Lighthouse on the drive up to Paulina's grandparents' for Thanksgiving, but a torrential downpour had Paulina refusing to stop the car. Fortunately, after arriving in Dexter and eating lunch, the rain turned to beautiful, fat snowflakes. James capitalized on the moment, asking Paulina to take a walk in the snow. They stumbled across a gazebo next to a lake. After instructing Paulina to look out at the ducks on the water, James got down on one knee before she could turn back around. As he looked up at her, he saw the word "love" spraypainted on the top of the gazebo and knew he had chosen the right place.

James and Paulina live in Phoenix with their perfect kitty cat, Savannah. James works at Fundamental Income. Paulina is a US History teacher in the Phoenix Union district and is studying to become a therapist. When they aren't wedding planning, you can find the happy couple traveling, hiking, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends. James and Paulina recently became homeowners and are eager to host their people. Come visit!

Paulina's New England-based family spends their summers in Northport, Maine. James and Paulina spend as much time as they can there each year eating lobster, playing cribbage, and taking long walks by the ocean, a tradition they plan to continue as their family grows. They can't wait to share their love of the Maine coast with all of you.