Let's party!

Despite living in the same building – the infamous “Pavilion at North Grounds” – and attending the same school for two-and-a-half years, Tess and Charles waited until their time in Charlottesville was almost over to officially meet (although Charles pined for a while). It happened at a local French boutique cocktail lounge, “Coupes,” on The Corner. Despite getting along almost too well, they were plagued by their future plans. Tess was headed to Washington, D.C., home of the fabled “Duccini's,” to work as an attorney for a non-profit; Charles to Dallas, Texas, to regulate energy and dance at Beauty Bar. It was not going to work. At least that’s what the haters (including Charles) said. But Tess knew it would, and Tess is always right. After securing new Southwest credit cards and spending millions of hours in the air between DCA and DAL, Charles finally got his dream D.C. job. Miraculously, he accepted as Tess was threatening to withhold rent on her 17th Street apartment because of the kitchen sink (IYKYK). Tess negotiated to break her lease without penalty (at least she learned one thing at law school!), and found a little Adams Morgan rowhouse for the two. Charles approved, as it checked all of his boxes: affordable, and within 100 feet of a Harris Teeter. Covid hit immediately. Charles and Tess got Buddy, the perfect Carolina Dog/dingo/not really sure, and Charles figured it was time to give the rescue some real stability. He went with Pat Miller to buy the ring, then enlisted the help of Sabrina, who created the perfect proposal setup at the National Cathedral. Not everything went as planned – Charles could neither see nor speak – but they did leave engaged! Sadly, but not surprisingly, Buddy didn’t, and still doesn’t, care. They are so excited to have the people who DO care come celebrate in Chicago, where Tess spends birthdays and holidays with her family. The Drake Hotel may be a step up from Coupes, but these two will never forget where they came from.