It all started at The Cheesecake Factory in the summer of 2021. Mandy had just moved back home to finish her last semester of VCU online, and Max was working there too. They didn’t talk much at first, but Mandy always loved how Max laughed at everything she said — he made her feel extra funny — and Max couldn’t help but notice how sweet and fun Mandy was to work with. Their friend and coworker, Ximena, quickly noticed their similarities and common interests and decided to play matchmaker. Not long after, at another close friend Mary Grace’s birthday party, something just clicked. From that night on, they were inseparable — talking or hanging out almost every day. Their early dates were full of simple joys: trips to the plant store, hanging out at the dog park, cute dinners, and drives in Shenandoah. As they got to know each other, they realized there was an invisible string that had been pulling them together all along. They worked just across the street from each other’ in their teenage years, gone to rival high schools, and shared countless little connections they hadn’t even known about. On February 7, 2023, they officially became a couple, and life together since has been full of adventure — traveling to Puerto Rico and El Salvador, and blending their furry family of three dogs. On December 30, 2024, Max proposed at one of their favorite spots, Gravelly Point, marking the start of their next chapter. On April 4, 2026, they’ll celebrate their marriage surrounded by the love and support of their family and friends. They can’t wait to share this special day — and the rest of their story —with all of you.