An Englishman and a Russian walk into a bar, and…they fall in love. Well, not yet! In February 2017, Tom and Maddie met on a day that falls exactly between their December and April birthdays on the calendar. What a coincidence! Or is it? Perhaps, it was meant to be… Being only 26 and 20, we kept in touch as friends with only occasional rendezvous over the next two years. Life continued to weave our paths together, and in late May 2019, we decided to take a leap of faith and make our relationship official. In December 2023, having cherished each other for 4.5 years and embarked on adventures across the United States, Mexico, England, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Thailand, our journey led us to the breathtaking shores of the Maldives. On our first evening, Tom arranged a secluded dinner on our villa's deck—an enchanting start that swiftly shifted when Maddie's fork struck something unexpected in her salad. As she puzzled over it, photographers emerged from hiding, and Tom dropped to one knee. Confusion gave way to tears of joy as he asked, "Will you marry me?" In euphoria, all Maddie could reply was a joyous "Yes!" On November 16, 2024, you will witness our heartfelt exchange of vows, marking the beginning of a lifetime filled with love, devotion, and eternal commitment. We believe that it was, after all, meant to be.