Our story began in 2015, when Tatiana was set up on a blind date for a barn dance at the University of Illinois. That night, Tatiana knew right away—she didn’t want Gerson to ever leave her side. We instantly clicked, and that connection has only grown stronger over the years. In the past decade, we’ve been each other’s constant companions, completing three degrees together, becoming dog parents to Buster, and moving many times—Champaign, Rochester, Minneapolis, Chicago—earning the title of “professional movers.” Through it all, we’ve always been each other's biggest support, building a strong foundation that keeps us grounded. Amid all the moves, we’ve had unforgettable adventures, exploring new places across the U.S., Central and South America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. We’ve grown up together, and life has been a crazy, beautiful journey filled with laughter, love, and countless memories. Now, it’s time to get married and continue the incredible adventure that life has been. We can’t wait to keep doing life together, and this is just the beginning of the our next chapter. We’re excited to share it with our closest friends and family!

Our adventure began with two months of traveling through some of the most beautiful places in the world, starting in the Philippines and continuing through Bali, Singapore, and Thailand. One month into the trip, on January 14, 2023, Gerson had a very special surprise planned. For the entire journey up to that point, he had been secretly carrying an engagement ring in his backpack! Tatiana, as the "passenger princess," had no idea that a diamond was hidden in Gerson’s backpack, despite the countless times they repacked for flights and rode public buses, tuk-tuks, and motorized scooters. Gerson was determined to keep the ring a secret, and Tatiana never once suspected a thing. Everything seemed normal—until we reached the island of Nusa Ceningan in Bali. Gerson, being a huge fan of sunsets (his camera roll is filled with sunset pictures), requested we take time to take pictures at sunset. Little did Tatiana know, this sunset would come with an extra surprise. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Gerson proposed cliffside, overlooking the breathtaking Blue Lagoon. Of course, Tatiana had to say “yes” (or else she might’ve been pushed off the cliff—just kidding!). To Tatiana’s surprise, there was a photographer capturing the intimate moment, providing us with a lifetime of memories. P.S. can confirm, Tatiana did ugly cry. It was a moment neither of us will ever forget, marking the beginning of the next chapter in our adventure together.