Karla and Ben’s story began in middle school, right after Karla moved from New York and was feeling a little out of place. Ben stood out to her immediately with his shared love of The Beatles and his dorky sense of humor. It didn’t take long for them to click—they became fast friends, spending hours on the phone, talking and laughing like no time had passed. Even when they attended different schools, they stayed close, always rooting for each other through life’s milestones. Though the timing wasn’t always right, their friendship remained a constant, serving as a touchstone through the years. Then everything changed when Ben invited Karla to a friend’s wedding three years ago. Karla flew from Chicago to Charlotte, expecting nothing more than a fun weekend with an old friend. But at that wedding, something shifted. Both of them realized that what they felt was more than friendship—it was the beginning of a love story sixteen years in the making. Now, after years of friendship and countless memories, Karla and Ben are so excited to celebrate the start of forever with all of you!