Our story began with a swipe on Hinge—one of those casual moments that turned into something extraordinary. I was immediately impressed by his 3 am wake up routine, but it was his kindness and genuine nature that drew me in. For him, it was my down-to-earth, culturally rooted vibe that felt like home. Our first date was at a bagel shop at Rutgers University, where we both went to college and unknowingly crossed paths 12 years ago at the Big Chill. I thought he was shy and super skinny, but we quickly clicked, and for him, it was love at first sight. We kept it easy, laughing over bagels and sharing stories, and the connection felt effortless. Though we were long-distance for 8 months—he in Virginia and me in New Jersey—video calls became our lifeline. We’d talk for hours, and he’d drive 7 hours just to see me on weekends. No surprise that I am now the passenger princess. Before we even became official, we made plans to travel to Peru together. Our trip to Machu Picchu turned into the perfect moment for a proposal. Surrounded by the beauty of the ruins and the Andes, he asked me to be his forever. Now, together in New Jersey, we love pizza hopping around the city, trying new spots and comparing slices. From bagels at Rutgers to our engagement at Machu Picchu, our story is filled with love, laughter, and adventure, and we can’t wait to continue our journey together.