Our story begins with two teenagers, a high school dance competition, and a case of mistaken identity. It was senior year, 2012. Both Aaron and Courtney found themselves at the same intra-district dance performance, there to support friends in the competition. Aaron approached Courtney to hug her, mistaking her for her best friend, and now bridesmaid, Tamara. Little did Aaron know that one simple mix-up would change his life for the better. Aaron showed immediate interest, doing his best to keep the conversation going, but Courtney, being the cool girl she is, brushed him off. A few days later, Aaron shot his shot in true millennial fashion, by sending his friend (and now groomsman) Jason into Courtney’s Facebook messages to ask for her number. Luck was on Aaron’s side because Courtney did, in fact, give Jason her number for his “tall, light-skinned friend.” From there, a slow burn began. Aaron started calling Courtney almost every night. At first, Courtney was suspicious, wondering, “What does this guy want from me?” But the truth was, he simply wanted to hear from her, spend time with her, and get to know who she was. Soon enough, she found herself agreeing to their first date. Aaron went out of his way to plan the perfect teenage dream date at The Cheesecake Factory, driving straight from a long day out with friends to Courtney’s parents’ house to pick her up. But like most teenage loves, things fizzled out, or so they thought. Courtney and Aaron wouldn’t cross paths again for almost two years. One fateful Wednesday evening in the summer of 2014, Courtney and her friends were hosting a small fundraising event at her best friend (and now maid of honor) Sarah Michel’s house for a trip they were taking later that summer. Aaron attended the festivities but gave Courtney the cold shoulder. Courtney was shocked and admittedly a little embarrassed. How could he ignore her? Confused yet intrigued, she decided to swallow her pride and wish Aaron a happy birthday a few months later. This one small gesture opened the floodgates. And just like that, the two former teenage lovebirds picked up where they left off and never looked back. As the years went on, Courtney and Aaron supported one another through countless milestones: undergrad, master’s programs, actuarial exams, and even law school. They grew into adulthood together, learning to communicate effectively, strengthen their relationship with God, and rely on one another through life’s challenges. Aaron has seen Courtney through every phase of life, and Courtney has done the same for him. When the time came for Aaron to finally get down on one knee, he knew he couldn’t do something simple. For Aaron, his honeybee deserves the world. So that’s exactly what he set out to do: show her the world. Aaron planned an elaborate trip to Europe. They began their Euro summer in France, made their way through Italy, and ended in beautiful Greece, where Aaron popped the question. Knowing her man oh so well, Courtney could sense Aaron’s nerves; he was so nervous he could barely get the words out. Courtney saw this, reassured him, and gently guided him through the ask. It was perfectly them, sweet, real, and unforgettable.