Our story began in 2015, when we both happened to be in the same class. From the moment he approached me, I thought, "This guy is way older than me!" Honestly, I was convinced he was some kind of seasoned college veteran. So, to my surprise, when he told me his age, I didn’t believe him. He had to literally show me his ID just to prove he wasn’t some mysterious older guy trying to make friends with the freshmen. (Spoiler alert: He wasn’t, and yes, he was the same age as me!) For a while, I started to get a little suspicious. I kept seeing this same black lifted Jeep parked in the same lot as mine. I thought, "Is he stalking me?" (I swear, I was not that paranoid!) But after a few weeks, the mystery was solved. Turns out, we just had class in the same building every morning. His Jeep had very clearly caught my attention, and it turned out I was seeing him because we were literally walking the same path—just at different times! We started as friends, slowly getting to know each other, and in October 2016, we officially started dating. From 2016 to 2024, we spent those years laying the foundation of our relationship. We grew as individuals and as a couple—learning, laughing, making sacrifices, and strengthening our bond. During that time, Chris also became a dog dad to our pup, Riri. From the moment he met her, he loved her wholeheartedly. And once we moved in together, his affection for her only grew. Watching the way he cares for her with so much tenderness and patience made me realize something truly special: when the day comes, there’s no doubt in my heart—he’s going to be an incredible father. Together, we prioritized building a life rooted in faith, deepening our relationship with God, and supporting each other’s dreams. Keeping Him at the center of our relationship has been the anchor that’s held us through everything. We’ve learned that love isn’t just a feeling; it’s a commitment. It’s about grace, patience, forgiveness, and choosing each other daily—with God guiding every step. We built our home, explored new places, and created a million little memories that led us to our beautiful engagement in 2024. After nearly a decade of love and growth, Chris took me on my dream trip to Europe. We explored the beauty of Greece and ended our cruise with a final stop in Barcelona, Spain. We were completely swept away by the culture, the food, the traditions—and especially the breathtaking cathedrals. Somewhere between wandering the cobblestone streets and taking in the views, we had a crazy idea: “What if we got married here?” We pictured our families and friends all gathered in this incredible place, celebrating love and creating unforgettable memories. That thought sparked something real. And now, here we are—less than a year away from our dream destination wedding. From college classmates, to prayer partners, to future husband and wife—we couldn’t be more grateful for every step that brought us to this moment. We’re so excited to celebrate this next chapter with the people we love most, in a place that holds a new and beautiful part of our story.