The year was 2001 when we embarked on the adventure of a lifetime—traveling thousands of miles away to study abroad in Siena, Italy, for the Spring Quarter. Though we were both students at UCI, our story truly began at LAX Airport, where a casual meeting would change our lives forever. The bond we formed that fateful day has only grown stronger over the past 25 years. Our love story is unlike most—navigating a foreign country together, unfamiliar with the language and culture, brought us closer as we explored our new surroundings. On weekdays, we cooked and studied side by side. On weekends, we wandered through breathtaking Italian cities and ventured to neighboring countries, creating memories that would last a lifetime. One of those weekend trips became even more special—it was where we shared our first date. And where else would you take a special woman on a first date than the most romantic city in the world? Paris, France. Many have heard our story, and yes, it’s true—the first time we held hands was as we walked up the Eiffel Tower. When our program ended, we weren’t ready to say goodbye. Instead, we extended our journey, backpacking across Europe for another month—deepening our connection and building a foundation for the life we share today. Now, all these years later, we want to relive and share this special place with you—our dearest family and friends. We hope you can join us in creating new memories together in this special place that started it all.