Melissa and Terry met while working in Philadelphia for the same non-profit organization in 2015. Melissa grew up in the Jacksonville suburbs and had just graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Exercise Science. She wanted to move closer to her sister, Michaela, who was attending undergraduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, so she decided to move to Philadelphia as well. Melissa got a position to work for City Year – an AmeriCorps non-profit education organization. Terry grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and was finishing up his degree in Kinesiology from Pennsylvania State University – he had just one more online class to complete prior to graduating that winter. As fate would have it, he also made the decision to work for City Year in the meantime. Melissa and Terry first met during one of City Year’s training sessions - Terry was quiet and shy (as usual), and Melissa thought this was frustrating (as usual), so their first conversation didn’t go so well. That probably would have been the end of that, but of course, they were assigned to work at the same school. Melissa was working with 5th graders and Terry was working with 8th graders. A friendship slowly started based on their common school backgrounds and hobby interests – a love for science/medicine, soccer, the outdoors, and having an awkward sense of humor. After several months of friendship, Terry asked his mom, Sonya, if Melissa could stay with them in their home during a bad snowstorm that was going to hit Philadelphia. She said “Well, is she your girlfriend?” and Terry said “Um, yeah?" (Melissa was not aware of this conversation). A month later, on Valentine’s Day, Terry asked Melissa "So, are you my girlfriend?” and she replied “Yeah, I guess so?" Our proposal story goes quite similarly: Melissa said to Terry “I want to get married." and Terry said “Okay, let’s do it!”. True romantics. During our 7-year-long relationship, we have lived in a different house/apartment every year. We have lived together in Philadelphia for 4 years, New Hampshire for 2 years, and Florida for 1 year. Terry graduated with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy and Melissa graduated with her Masters in Physician Assistant studies this past year (2021). We now live in Jacksonville, Florida, close to Melissa’s family. We have grown and changed so much together over the past several years, and have remained best friends through it all. We have had difficult losses during our relationship – and we know that those loved ones will be with us on our big day. We have also both had achievements and so many happy moments that we have been able to celebrate. Of course, we would not be the couple that we are today if it wasn't for all the love and support we have received from all of you. You have accepted us both for who we are as individuals, and as a couple, and we are so thankful for that. So… let’s get married!