Every year, Sarah helped her aunt throw a New Year’s Eve party for the neighborhood. And every year, one particular guest — her aunt’s friendly neighbor — would rave about how she had to meet his grandson, Chase. In 2019, that neighbor (clearly playing the long game as matchmaker of the year) decided to make it happen. While Sarah was out for a walk, he literally chased her down just to say, “Expect a visitor later today, today is THE day!” Sure enough, a few hours later, there was a knock at the door — and there stood Chase. At first, Sarah didn’t know what to expect. She didn’t even know his name and thought he looked way older than her, so she braced herself for what could be an awkward introduction. Instead, they ended up spending the rest of the day sitting on a dock, talking for hours — and from that moment on, they were inseparable friends. They hit it off immediately — Chase’s outgoing personality and genuine way of listening drew Sarah in (his version of this story is still “under review”). Before long, friendship turned into something much deeper. When Sarah went on a girls’ trip with Chase’s mom, somewhere between the laughter, long drives, and late-night conversations, she realized he was the one. Long distance didn’t last long — about five months later, Sarah packed up her car and moved to D.C. to be with him. Over the years, they’ve built a life full of love, laughter, and a few hilarious routines — paddle-boarding, running, sailing, hiking, pasta-making, puzzles, and yes, even the dreaded StairMaster. Chase can’t go a day without at least one glass of milk, a Kodiak granola bar, and a bath. Sarah, on the other hand, needs at least twenty minutes of reading before she’s ready to face the world and insists on handling everything in the kitchen herself, among many other quirks that she has vetoed out of this story. Somehow, it all just fits. In 2025, Chase brought their story full circle — back to that same dock in Little Harbor, Florida, where they first talked all those years ago. He told Sarah they were taking “family photos” for his mom’s Christmas cards, but when she arrived, the dock was lined with flowers and photos from their years together. There, surrounded by love and memories, he asked her to marry him. And now, what started with a knock on the door has led to this moment — the start of their forever.