Our love story began in the summer of 2023. We first met online, where fate brought us together. While Christina was studying at The Ohio State University, I was finishing up my program at Ohio University. Little did we know that meeting online from that moment on, our lives would be intertwined in the most beautiful way. We chatted online for several weeks, eagerly getting to know each other more each day. I decided eventually that it was time for our first date. I chose a restaurant located in the heart of Columbus, Ohio called Marcella’s. Little did I know, while the food was delicious, the noise level at the restaurant was unexpectedly high. As we met face-to-face for the first time, we found ourselves seated at a rather large table, far apart. With the bustling noise around us, we had to raise our voices just to be able to hear each other speak. Not to mention that I was super nervous and was trying to make a good impression while struggling to hear Christina. Despite the initial awkwardness, her smile and warmth immediately put me at ease for the remainder of the dinner. After dinner ended, Christina suggested we grab some ice cream. Due to the loud ambiance, I misheard her and mistakenly declined saying, “No, I’m sorry, I have to get back home.” Little did I know, I had unintentionally declined the rest of our date, leaving Christina puzzled after what she had thought was a great evening overall. But that is not all! As we exited the restaurant, I offered to walk Christina to her car. We started walking, but then I suddenly realized I had parked on the exact opposite side of town. I made the mistake of only walking her halfway, and we said goodbye sooner than expected. Looking back, I realize this left Christina totally confused, questioning how the date had gone. In fact, she sometimes jokes with me that it was the worst date ever! I knew that I had messed up the end of the first date, so I messaged her and told her all about my nervousness and miscommunications. I am very lucky that she gave me a chance on a 2nd date! On the 2nd date, don’t you worry! Christina got her ice cream, and she got walked all the way back to her car. After the next couple of dates, we began to realize that there was truly something special here, something neither of us had experienced before. As we spent more time together, our conversations deepened, and laughter became a constant soundtrack to our moments. We discovered shared passions, quirks that complemented each other, and a growing sense of comfort and joy in each other’s presence. It was not long before we both knew that this was something truly special. We found ourselves eagerly making plans together, excited about the future and the adventures we would share. We still share those same plans and dreams for our future, each day brining us closer together in our aspirations and expectations. Our love has only depended with time, rooted in mutual respect, understanding, and a shared vision for what lies ahead. Today, we find ourselves more in love than ever, excitedly anticipating the journey ahead as we prepare to embark on our forever together. We are blessed to have incredible families whose love and support have been unwavering throughout our relationship. Their guidance and encouragement have shaped us into who we are today. We are grateful to have them by our side as we step into this new chapter of our lives. With hearts full of gratitude and excitement, we look forward to building a life with love, and endless adventures. What started with a declined ice cream invitation and a halfway walk to the car, has blossomed into a beautiful journey of love and companionship.