A TALE AS OLD AS TIME....

Some love stories start with a chance encounter, but ours began in the most unexpected place—a middle school cafeteria. It was at Northwest School of the Arts where we first met, introduced by a mutual friend. At the time, Rochelle was in sixth grade, and I was in seventh. Neither of us could have known that a simple meeting in that lunchroom would turn into something so extraordinary—a love story 15 years in the making. Life took us on different paths for a while, but fate has a way of bringing the right people back together. When we reconnected, it felt effortless—like coming home. Our first date on July 31 at Black Moth Bar wasn’t just a date; it was a reunion of two souls who had been waiting for the right moment to find their way back to each other. Rochelle always says she knew I was the one on Thanksgiving Day of 2021. That day, she was in a terrible car accident, all alone and scared. At the time, we had only just started dating, but there was never a question in my mind—I was by her side through it all. That moment solidified what we had already begun to feel: our love was real, strong, and meant to last. Our journey to forever was marked by not one but two beautiful proposals, each reflecting who we are as a couple. Rochelle surprised me with the most breathtaking proposal at the airport lookout on a perfect night. Under an arch of flowers, surrounded by twinkling lights against the dark sky, she asked me to spend forever with her. I thought I was just going to dinner with friends, but instead, I found myself saying “yes” to the love of my life. A few months later, I wanted to give Rochelle a moment just as special, in a way that felt perfect for her. So, on our trip to Chicago, in front of a glowing Christmas tree, I asked her to marry me—an intimate, heartfelt moment, just the way she likes it. Now, after 15 years of knowing each other, growing together, and falling in love, we are beyond excited to begin this next chapter. We can’t wait to celebrate our wedding day with the people who have been part of our journey, and most importantly, to spend the rest of our lives together.