We met at a friend's apartment in 2012. Alex brought pupusas to the party - first time I'd had them - and taught me how to eat them. I was crushing hard from day one, and we went on our first date two weeks later.

Most of our relationship was long distance (2013 to 2017). Soon after we started dating, I took off for an 18-month international photo program that kept me on the road and out of the country. We ended up taking a break halfway through, but reconnected when I got back. Annnnd then I took an internship in NJ, which turned into a job, which turned into another 2.5 years of long distance until he finally followed me northwards in March 2017. Fortunately we're still pretty great together in real, 24/7 life, which leads us to the part where we get married.

Alex surprised me with a late-night proposal in June, the day before I left for New Orleans to visit my best friend. I was in my PJs; he was in a suit. My initial, slightly exasperated reaction was, "NOW?! THIS is the moment?" Apparently it was. There was a romantic song playing ("Caminar de Tu Mano" by Río Roma and Fonseca), there were quotes from When Harry Met Sally, there were a few tears, and there was a ring. And then there was, of course, a yes.

It made sense for us to go ahead and get legally hitched, so we dashed off to the Raleigh courthouse shortly after our engagement and had a small shindig to celebrate with close friends and family. There are still so many more people we want to share and celebrate with, though, so come October it'll be time for the big shebang!