While enjoying the grind of grad school Chad, happened to notice an awesomely curly-haired head walking thru the halls of the art school at the University of Hawaii - Manoa. After many sightings, Chad finally worked up the courage to introduce himself to the wonderful hair. Chad (C)- "What are you doing?" Hair- "Sanding" C-"Oh" C- "My name is Chad Steve, what's yours?" Hair- "Maria Tritico" Three weeks later, Maria moved back to Texas and the two did not see each other or really even keep in touch. It wasn't until 3 years later, when Maria moved to Chicago, IL for grad school and Chad moved to Missoula, MT for a residency, that they finally got it together. The two spent all fall chatting and getting to know each other and then took a leap of faith. Chad drove down to Chicago from his parents house on New Years Eve 2013 and the pair spent their first New Years together. It was perfect. One week later Maria flew to Missoula for the week. Over the next two years Chad and Maria went back and fourth between Chicago and Missoula missing many of the major moments in each others lives, but always making sure to spend New Years together. Our special day that started it all.

So of course, what better day than on New Years Eve to pop the question. At the end of a pier, in the Jupiter Inlet, looking at the Lighthouse, Chad got down on one knee and asked his love, aka hair, aka awesomely curly-haired head to do him the honor of being his wife. It went a little something like this... C- "Maria" Chad kneels and takes the porcelain ring out of his pocket. C- "Will you be my wife?" Hair- "Are you serious?" C- "Yeah!" Hair- "Yes!" C- "Awesome" Chad then puts the ring on the correct finger, but the wrong hand. Maria switches the ring and then just as Chad is standing up to kiss her she spills her martini on him. It was also perfect.