We first met in November of 2016 in a way neither of us could have expected. Romance wasn’t even on the radar then—it was just two people crossing paths. What started as casual conversations soon turned into a real friendship, built on shared humor, late-night talks, and the surprising number of things we had in common. We became a source of comfort and encouragement for each other, without realizing that something bigger was quietly taking shape. For the next two years, Andrew kept asking Sheila out every few months. She said no—more than once—thinking the timing wasn’t right. But Andrew never pushed, never lost patience. Instead, he showed kindness, steadiness, and a quiet confidence that spoke louder than persistence. Over time, Sheila began to see what had been there all along: a love that was genuine, consistent, and impossible to ignore. On November 18, 2018, everything shifted. Over dinner at a little Italian restaurant in Georgetown, our friendship turned into something more. The night was easy—full of laughter and conversation that flowed naturally. Walking away, we both had the same thought: this was the start of something we didn’t want to let go. Since then, we’ve been through so many seasons of life together. We’ve celebrated wins, supported each other through challenges, and found joy in the everyday routines that make a relationship real—morning coffee, long drives night drives, fun new adventures together, trying new restaurants, and knowing that we always have someone to lean on. Our love hasn’t been about grand gestures as much as it’s been about building a life side by side, with trust, laughter, and resilience at the core. Then, on December 27, 2024, during a winter walk through the Botanical Gardens in D.C., Andrew got down on one knee. Surrounded by family and beautiful scenery, Sheila said yes without hesitation. In that moment, everything came full circle—from friends, to partners, to planning forever. Now, as we step into this next chapter, we’re grateful for every step that brought us here. And we’re especially thankful to have our family and friends by our side, sharing in the joy of this journey with us.