Richard and Alexis first met in Washington, D.C. for their graduate program's pre-departure meet-up before they went to live in Florence, Italy. Richard immediately took note of Alexis' career interests (and her pretty eyes and cute smile) and approached her. The two talked for a while, before mingling with the other graduate students. In Italy, the two quickly became friends and enjoyed watching scary movies, drinking red wine, and goofing around on group projects together.

Richard and Alexis planned a trip to Greece to celebrate Richard's birthday. On the second day in Santorini, the two woke up early to enjoy a morning hike and watch the sunrise over the picturesque village of Imerovigli. Along their hike, they ran into a "friendly tourist," Spiros, who was really a photographer that Richard hired. Spiros posed the two close to one another and gave Richard the pre-decided cue. Richard got down on one knee! Alexis, who had not suspected a thing, could not contain her excitement! Afterward, the two spent some time in Imerovigli, where Spiros captured the first moments of the rest of their lives together.