Rafaella and Jacob’s story began at Jacob’s brother’s wedding in Mexico, where two lives from different places unexpectedly intertwined. Rafaella was living in Jersey City, Jacob in Charlotte—and neither knew if they would ever see each other again once the celebration ended. Just two weeks later, Jacob surprised Rafaella with a visit to Jersey City. Over a candlelit dinner at a French restaurant, the spark they had felt in Mexico grew into something undeniable. A few weeks later, Jacob returned and asked Rafaella to be his girlfriend. Their first Valentine’s Day marked another turning point—Rafaella flew to Charlotte for her very first visit, and from that moment on, the distance between them felt smaller. They spent the next weeks traveling back and forth, sharing adventures in Miami, Savannah, and beyond. It was during their trip to Savannah that Rafaella decided to take a leap of faith and move to Charlotte. Not long after, they moved in together, and by Christmas, Rafaella’s cat Dexter joined them—completing their little family. Two & a half years later, Jacob planned a trip to Charleston, a city Rafaella had always dreamed of visiting. With the charm of cobblestone streets and southern romance all around, Jacob asked Rafaella to marry him. She said “yes,” and the rest is history.