Katie and Carlo first crossed paths in a Making of the ’60s class at Eckerd College back in 2016. Katie, intent on keeping her head in the books, couldn’t help but be intrigued by the extroverted goofball who always sat next to her. He’d show up with a new sweet treat from the campus coffee shop and, without fail, ask to borrow a pen or pencil. In her usual fashion, Katie would roll her eyes and oblige, wondering who on earth comes to class this unprepared. But he was cute, so she played along. She would later learn that this long-haired, outgoing guy was the leader of the campus improv group and sharper than she had first given him credit for. During the fall semester the following year, Carlo saw Katie at the mailboxes. Eyes lighting up with a big smile, he said he’d reach out on Facebook with his contact info. Sure enough, he did, fostering a new friendship that continues to this day. He convinced Katie to take another history class with him, promising to bring his own pen to class this time (which he did on most* occasions). The friendship flourished, and Carlo finally asked Katie out on a date. With a little encouragement from her best friend, Katie got dolled up for their first date at Blue Fugu, a legendary St. Pete sushi spot (RIP). They chatted over sushi and sake, the first of many sushi dates to come. From that night on, Katie and Carlo were inseparable, bonding over their shared love of American history, timeless tunes, eclectic foods, documentaries, and much more. The conversations were endless, and the laughter never stopped. Carlo graduated, and Katie entered her junior year of college. The two navigated long distance between New York and Florida for two years, and then from New York to Vermont once Katie graduated. Like any story worth telling, there were a few bumps along the way, but their connection brought them back together as a couple ready for the next chapter. A six-hour catch-up phone call turned into a plane ticket for the very next day to New York, where the two picked up right where they left off. The rest, as they say, was history. In June 2024, Katie and Carlo moved back to St. Pete and started a new adventure in the place where it all began. On August 9th, Carlo got down on one knee at the Don CeSar, one of their favorite spots from college, and asked Katie to marry him. She said YES (obviously)! They can’t wait to embark on this next chapter, hand in hand, as husband and wife.