The journey continues…

Connor and Madeline’s story began long before their first words to each other. They first crossed paths in middle school, exchanging quiet glances but no conversation. It wasn’t until freshman year of high school that things truly began to unfold. Both naturally shy, it took a bold gesture from Connor and a charming bouquet of madeleine cookies to ask Madeline to the winter formal. By sophomore year, they were officially a couple. From the start, distance was a part of their love story. Though both lived in the Bay Area, nearly 40 miles separated them. Before they could drive, their parents coordinated halfway meetups just so they could spend a few hours together. When that wasn’t possible, Connor became well acquainted with the BART train, making regular trips to see Madeline. College took them even farther apart, with Connor attending Cal Poly SLO and Madeline heading to UC Berkeley. Still, the distance only deepened their bond. They navigated years of late night FaceTime calls, long drives, and carefully planned visits, learning to make the most of every moment. While distance has been a constant, so has adventure. They’ve used every school break and holiday to explore the world, from Angkor Wat to La Sagrada Familia. Travel became their way of reconnecting, making memories, and growing closer. Today, Connor lives in Austin, Texas, and Madeline in California. Long distance continues to be part of their reality, but it has only strengthened their connection. Every reunion is filled with joy, and every goodbye is met with hopeful anticipation for the life they’re building together. Since travel has been such a meaningful part of their journey, bringing them closer with every new place explored, they couldn’t imagine a more perfect way to begin their next chapter than celebrating on the beautiful island of Bali, surrounded by the people they love most.