We made it legal, now let's celebrate

Chapter 1: The start We usually say our story began on our first day at INSEAD in Singapore on 11th August 2022. That said, there are competing origin theories. Some claim it started a few weeks earlier, when Jamie slid into Katie's LinkedIn DMs. Very romantic, oh-so professional. Others trace it back to 2019, when Jamie met Katie’s father on a training course in Hong Kong. However you count it, the plot was clearly in motion. Chapter 2: Sort-of, kind-of best friends Once INSEAD began, we quickly became almost inseparable. We challenged each other, kept life interesting, rode the usual highs and lows of business school, and squeezed in some unforgettable trips along the way. Very wholesome. Entirely, mostly, platonic. Probably. Chapter 3: Growing while apart After a whirlwind year and plenty of personal growth, Katie moved to Switzerland for mountains, lakes, and trees. Jamie moved to Riyadh, which offered rather fewer of those things. A new phase of life for us both, with lots of time for reflection. Chapter 4: Reunion in Zürich In November 2024, we reconnected at an INSEAD Friendsgiving in Zürich (shoutout to Julia for inadvertently arranging this)! That reunion kicked off our next chapter, this time as something more than friends. Feelings were revealed (or re-revealed) and we officially started dating in January 2025, separated by only 4,250 kilometres between Basel and Riyadh. Chapter 5: Istanbul rhythm Katie soon moved to Istanbul for a work assignment, bringing the distance down to a much more manageable 2,455 kilometres. Regular weekend visits between our two cities, and other trips dotted in between, helped us start thinking and building a future together. Chapter 6: Engagement(s) Having already wed in Stardew Valley - a cosy video game we love playing whilst apart - we decided a real-life version sounded like a good idea too, during a visit to Fontainebleau in June 2025. A date for our civil ceremony was soon set, the venue for this celebration was booked (whilst there for another wedding celebration - thank you Ayla & Sam), and the official engagement, ring included, followed in Riyadh on 24 October 2025. Chapter 7: Civil ceremony On 13 December 2025, we made this thing legal in Fontainebleau. This beautiful town means a great deal to us both: it is Katie’s hometown and birthplace, and it is also home to INSEAD, the place that brought us together. Chapter 8: A new beginning and beyond We have now started married life together, building our first home together in Fontainebleau while continuing to bridge the distance to Riyadh. We look forward to celebrating our story and our future together in October with you all! Love, Katie and Jamie