5 years later...

We met at work in 2019—just two coworkers trying to survive the bank life. Office small talk, inside jokes, and an ongoing ping pong rivalry (I’d love to say I dominated, but let’s be real—I did). At some point, we became actual friends. The kind who sent memes during meetings and always took lunch at the same time. There was a spark, but we ignored it—until November 2019, when he decided to drive Pacific Coast Highway, and I randomly decided to meet him in San Francisco. We road-tripped to Portland, I flew home, and suddenly, I couldn’t stop wondering: Was this something real? Turns out, it was. By January 2020, we made it official. A month later, we were camping under the stars in Maui, and by March—pandemic. Instead of normal dating, we got the fast-track version: full-time togetherness, survival mode, pressure cooker love. And somehow, we thrived. By 2021, we said, “Why not?” and bought a house after a year of dating. One minute, we were figuring out each other’s annoying habits, the next, we were homeowners, dog parents, and cat parents all at once. Another leap taken, another one that paid off. In 2022, we hit EDC to dance, dance, dance! In 2023, we went full Euro-trip: Amsterdam, Belgium (Tenacious D, obviously), the UK (Hans Zimmer, legendary), and Austria. I definitely thought he was proposing. He didn’t. May 2024? Bahamas cruise. Perfect setting. Still no ring. Then came October 4, 2024— the day before our fifth anniversary. I was fully in couch goblin mode when he randomly announced, “We’re going to Prescott.” I resisted. I was comfy. But eventually, I sighed, “Okayyyy, I guess.” Finally on October 5th, we were in Prescott’s town square, just walking around, when he led me to a random electrical box behind a fountain. Old people were shuffling by. Half-assembled farmer’s market canopies flapped in the breeze. Romantic, right? Chris will be the first to tell you that it wasn't exactly how he imagined it. And yet—when he got down on one knee, nothing else mattered. It was sweet, unexpected, and somehow just us. Of course, I said yes, and the best is yet to come! It's a far cry from breakroom ping pong, but just as fun—and still laughing every step of the way.

When I first met Alex, we were just colleagues—sharing small talk, lunch breaks, and “competitive” ping-pong matches. Our friend Justin likes to take credit for bringing us together, and maybe he deserves some. After months of work breaks and happy hours, something shifted. One night, we went out dancing on Mill Avenue, and I started to wonder if this was more than just friendship. The real turning point came when Alex accepted my JOKING invitation to join me on what was supposed to be my SOLO trip. From San Francisco dreaming, to NorCal camping (and almost freezing), to lovely Portland weather, our adventures truly began. Ending 2019, filled with nights out dancing and celebrating our first holidays together, I then began to think—this might be something real. Then 2020 changed everything. Fortunately, we were still able to take a trip to Hawaii for a friend’s wedding that included an unexpected challenge—almost freezing while camping in the mountains. But even then, we laughed through it, proving we could take on anything together. Soon after, quarantining together in Alex’s apartment was another test we passed with ease. Life with her felt natural, so much so that we adopted Ren, a mischievous cat, to join Alex’s dog, Kaya. In 2021, we took another big step—we bought a house together in Laveen Village. The six-month wait for our home was tough, made harder by the loss of my father, Chris Sr. It was one of the hardest times of my life, but Alex was my rock. Finally, getting the keys felt like the start of a new chapter filled with hope. The next year, we made our house a home and welcomed Arlo, another furry companion. Concerts, tailgates, and good company filled our time. Alex, once indifferent to football, even became a Cardinals fan by default, she may deny it but she’s slipped up a couple times. Then came our biggest adventure yet—2023, the year we traveled abroad. What started as a plan to see Hans Zimmer in London turned into a European tour. Amsterdam charmed us with its cafés and bike-filled streets. Brussels gave us stunning architecture, great beer, and a Tenacious D concert. London delivered the magic of Hans Zimmer live. Vienna, though brief, left us eager to return one day. Year five arrived with another adventure—a cruise to the Bahamas. A week of sunshine, ocean views, and unforgettable moments. Life with Alex had become an endless series of adventures, each one better than the last. And now, here we are. We know each other inside and out, finishing each other’s sandwiches and driving each other crazy in the best ways. But most importantly, we love each other like we’ve been together forever. On November 8th, 2025, we’ll take the next step. With our family and friends there to witness it, we’ll start our biggest adventure yet—marriage. And I can’t wait for all that’s still to come…