Back in 2009, our older siblings (shout out to Vanessa and Jay) had a brilliant idea—to set us up! The “relationship” began with shy smiles at recess and Facebook messages after school. But, as you might expect, a romance between two ten-year-olds didn’t last long. What started as a setup soon grew into a meaningful and unwavering friendship. From elementary school through college, we stayed close—firmly planted in the “best friend” zone. After 11 years of friendship (or what James now calls "the long game"), we took a leap and officially started dating on September 2, 2020. After graduating college, we picked up our lives and moved to Raleigh, NC, to grow together—both in our relationship and as individuals. In spring of 2025, we will be moving back to our home base of Northern Virginia to prepare for our wedding and a lasting future together. We can't wait to celebrate this milestone with you!