For those who don't know how we met, it all began on a magical evening atop a rooftop in Roanoke, VA where a Cinco de Mayo salsa dance party ignited the flames of our love. It was there that our eyes locked, and with a bold yet gentle invitation, Jean-Michel asked me to dance. From that moment, we discovered an instant chemistry that has only grown stronger with time. As the night progressed, we found ourselves lost in each other's arms, dancing under the shimmering stars. It felt like a scene out of a romantic movie, where time stood still and the world melted away. The more we danced, the deeper our connection felt, and soon, we were dancing exclusively with each other, lost in a world of our own creation. In the weeks that followed, we ventured into a journey of shared experiences and unforgettable moments getting to know one another. From cookouts with friends to cozy board game nights, we reveled in the joy of building memories together. In the kitchen, we explored the delights of cooking Lebanese dishes, savoring flavors that mirrored the vibrancy of our connection. Through it all, we discovered a beautiful compatibility that surpassed mere chemistry and laid the foundation for a deeper connection. We are now taking the next step, a leap made hand in hand. We navigated 7 months of long-distance while I finished graduate school, with Jean-Michel making countless trips from Boston to Southwest Virginia to be by my side. He has been my steadfast support, a beacon of love and selflessness. His unwavering dedication to my dreams, aspirations, and wellbeing has touched my heart in the most profound ways. He constantly asks, "What do you need? How can I show up for you and love you better?" I find peace in his arms and see a reflection of my worth in his eyes. In his love, I feel safe, cherished, and truly seen for every aspect of the person I am. Jean-Michel is smart, silly, passionate, and so good-natured. He is truly a teammate in every sense of the word and everything I could have hoped for in a life partner. Living together in Boston has only reinforced my conviction that he is the man I want to grow old with. Each and every day with him is a gift. Throughout our journey, it has felt as though the universe has conspired in our favor. Every step of the way, we have encountered fortuitous moments and felt a sense of ease in our relationship. In both joyful times and challenging ones, we have supported and encouraged each other, finding comfort in the knowledge that our love is a steadfast anchor amidst the ebb and flow of life. We have set our wedding date for Cinco de Mayo 2024, exactly two years after our hearts first intertwined. We will be getting married under the very same weeping cherry tree where he proposed to me, amidst the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains that are a hallmark of the Central Virginia region where I grew up. It will be a lively celebration filled with warmth, the embrace of cherished family and friends, and plenty of dancing. Together, I know we will continue to nurture this precious love, cherish each moment, and build a future filled with shared dreams and endless possibilities. Here's to forever.

On August 13th, 2023 Jean-Michel took me on a beautiful date to The Market at Grelen in Somerset, VA. It was an afternoon filled with enjoying their farm-to-table cafe, pick-your-own apple and peach orchards, wine slushies, the bright summer weather, and walking the picturesque trail network that’s lush and verdant with pops of bright blooms this time of year. At one point, we found ourselves standing under the shade of a weeping cherry tree, looking up at the cascading branches and streams of sunlight above us. In this moment, Jean-Michel told me how our time together has made him realize he never wants to imagine a future without me in it. He got down on one knee, pulled a ring box from his pocket, and asked me if I would marry him. Of course, I said yes. Afterward, we went to get celebratory ice cream from the cafe and a couple with their newborn congratulated us and asked if we wanted any pictures together. The woman who took these pictures for us explained that they had gotten married at Grelen exactly one year ago today and were there celebrating their anniversary. It felt almost serendipitous. After the cafe staff overheard us, they brought out a couple of glasses of Prosecco to add to the congratulations. We sipped them beneath the largest crepe myrtle tree I’ve ever seen while purple petals fell over us like confetti, taking in the song of birds and the buzz of bees and the bliss of the moment. We realized that this was not only the perfect place to get engaged, but also married. The engagement ring he graciously presented to me is a reflection of his thoughtfulness and a symbol of our unity. It is a custom work of art that he had meticulously designed and crafted by a talented jeweler. The ring features a natural, ethically sourced diamond at its center, which is Jean-Michel's birthstone. It is surrounded by a halo of red garnets, my birthstone. The band of the ring is adorned with delicate leaves and flowers, paying homage to my love and reverence for the natural world. For extra sentimentality, red is also my favorite color, and I was wearing a fiery red dress the night we met. Both the engagement and the ring were incredibly romantic, and I cannot wait to get married under the same tree where we got engaged.

Salsa dancing became my respite from the demanding world of research, especially in the post-COVID era. It was my lifeline, my connection to a vibrant group of people who celebrated the beauty of life as many of my friends had scattered after graduation. Among the various dance events that dotted my calendar, I was especially excited for the Cinco de Mayo salsa party. Located at a Roanoke rooftop in the middle of downtown, it was a venue I had missed dearly since the pandemic began. Then on that fateful Cinco de Mayo, there she was, Kasey, with her untamed "Shakira" hair and a dress aflame with crimson fire, engaged in lively banter with fellow partygoers. Her beauty and charm took my breath away. Despite an immediate desire to introduce myself surging through me, I opted for patience, hoping for a chance to dance with her later in the evening. Little did I know, fate had its own plans. As the night unfolded, I found myself in conversation with a friend when Kasey approached her, the two of them seemingly well-acquainted. Introduced to her amidst the rhythm of the music, our conversation flowed effortlessly. When I finally mustered the courage to ask her to dance, she gracefully agreed. Walking towards the center of the dance floor, butterflies danced in my stomach, but as our eyes locked, all nerves dissolved in the ocean of her captivating blue gaze. Sparks ignited with the touch of our hands, confidence surged through me, and we embarked on what would become my most enchanting dance ever—a fairytale manifesting before our very eyes. As we conversed and moved, I found myself drawn to her, my heart singing a melody that resonated with hers. I dared to ask for one more song, but our dance extended, one rhythmic note flowing seamlessly into the next. Surprisingly, I had never connected with anyone so swiftly and profoundly. What captivated me about Kasey was her joie de vivre, and her positive energy which was tangible in the sparkle of her eyes. I couldn't help but admire her fearlessness and daring spirit, coupled with an unexpected grace and talent. Despite having hardly danced salsa before, she effortlessly matched the seasoned dancers on the floor after just a few dances. In the weeks that followed, as I got to know her, I learned that beneath her veil of cheerfulness is a depth of thought and kindness that resonated with me on a profound level. Kasey, a symphony of intelligence and empathy, proved to be a harmonious blend of ambition and selflessness. There are certain times when we have a passionate disagreement. Kasey would hit pause, take a moment, collect herself, and then, offer these nuggets of wisdom on how I could fine-tune my argument. It's not just about winning the debate; it's this shared journey of growth and understanding that makes our reconciliations so special. With Kasey, even our disagreements become stepping stones toward a deeper connection. Over the first few months in our relationship, we quickly became inseparable, each moment strengthening the bond between us. Every second in her presence deepened my admiration, and Kasey remained a constant, unwavering force during the final stretch of my Ph.D. She spent the late hours of the night baking cookies and mini cheesecakes on the eve of my defense and helped take care of logistics the day of the defense to ensure my success. Her presence during the defense itself soothed my nerves and propelled me through the challenges of my presentation.

Kasey became my foundation, my guiding star, my better half. In the months that followed, Kasey and I embarked on a myriad of marvelous adventures, creating wonderful memories before the inevitable moment when I had to move away to Boston: from exhilarating hiking trips to heartwarming visits with Kasey's family over Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the thrill of ushering in New Years in Richmond. Yet, it's in the simple, seemingly mundane moments that the true brilliance of our relationship emerged. Kasey makes even the simplest of activities enjoyable, from doing puzzles to cooking. I vividly remember a moment at a grocery store when an elderly man couldn't help but comment on the sheer delight we exuded, declaring that we were having "way too much fun." As my impending departure to Boston loomed, we both dreaded being separated from each other and having to navigate a long-distance relationship. That is when I decided to present Kasey with a silicone ring representing my love for her and my commitment to our relationship—call it a “pre-posal”. We also went to build-a-bear and built plushies that had secret recorded messages for each other to listen to whenever one of us missed the other person. Over the span of seven long months, we would video call each other at the end of every day. I could rely on her voice to lift my spirits regardless of how terribly my day went, her giggle would warm my heart on the coldest Boston winter day. Our conversations would span several hours into the night. Our time away was interrupted by visits we would make to each other once or twice a month where we would rekindle our love for one another. Our time together would be filled with catching up on all the adventures that we would do like hiking and going to the farmer’s market. Ultimately, our time away from each other ended in August when I went to support Kasey in her thesis defense. I would propose to her for real this time a couple of days later under the same tree where we are getting married. We then traveled together to Boston, to our nest and home base, where we began building our lives together and from where we will go on many adventures in the future. Having reunited with Kasey, my heart feels whole again. One of the things that are remarkable about Kasey is her uncanny ability to remember tiny details mentioned in casual conversations and then surprise me with unprompted gifts or acts of service that incorporate them, sometimes weeks later. One time, she noticed that I had trouble with traction with my shoes when we were running. She would surprise me weeks later with a new set of running shoes. Another time, I would mention my love for a good mint-infused lemonade but only in passing. She would surprise me with a giant mason jar full of the lemonade I mentioned the next day. I also adore how much effort she puts into even the little tasks, like when she made me a magnificent cheesecake themed around a show that I like for my birthday. The cake itself was adorned with figurines that she scoured the whole web to obtain. She ended up getting them from some obscure Russian website. Our journey, born from the magic of a serendipitous encounter, blossomed into a remarkable love story. Now, as we approach the second anniversary of that enchanted night, I am filled with anticipation and gratitude. Kasey, my muse and confidante, is not just my partner—she is the melody to my dance, the reason my heart beats in rhythm with life. As we embark on the journey of marriage, I eagerly await the adventures that life, with all its twists and turns, will unveil before us.