Our story began at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Athens, GA. What started as a workplace connection between a determined bartender and a quiet line cook quickly turned into something neither of them expected. From the beginning, Karyn made it her mission to break through Kwabena’s quiet nature and turn him into a friend, while Kwabena found himself drawn to her bossiness, confidence, and unmistakable sass. Their friendship grew steadily, filled with laughter, long shifts, and getting to know each other beyond the restaurant walls. When Kwabena finally told Karyn he liked her, her response was perfectly on brand: “I think you think you like me… but I am a lot. I’ll let you sit with that for a little just to make sure.” Five months later, after patience, persistence, and plenty of anticipation, their first kiss made things official (and the rest has been a beautiful adventure ever since)! Together, we’ve built a life full of the things we love most: traveling (especially anywhere with a beach), cozy movie nights, and spending time with our beloved pets. Through every season, we’ve been each other’s calm, laughter, and greatest support. The next chapter of our story began on Monday, January 5, 2026. After a long day at work, Karyn came home to find that Kwabena had cleaned the entire house and created a beautiful surprise. Rose petals led into the bedroom, flowers waited by the bedside, and “MARRY ME?” was spelled out across the bed. In that unforgettable moment , after joking since 2024 that it would finally be her year to get engaged, it was actually happening. He got down on one knee, and in a moment she will never forget, she said yes to forever with her best friend! From coworkers, to best friends, to partners in life — our story has always been built on patience, humor, and love. We cannot wait to celebrate this next chapter surrounded by the people who mean the most to us!