Three parties, one love story. Pack your heels.

Two years ago, we booked a once-in-a-lifetime trip to New Zealand. We traveled all over the country with friends, but made sure to stop at the nerdiest destination possible: Hobbitton, the real-life set location for the Lord of the Rings films. After months of planning, Christopher set up the ultimate surprise for an unknowing fiancé-to-be. At the end of the tour, he surprised Jonathan by getting down on one knee: "I've loved you since our first date. Our relationship has been an unexpected journey and I'm so proud of how far we've come. I want to continue going on new adventures with you. Will you marry me?" After saying yes, Jonathan (unsurprisingly) wanted more. We returned to Boston and he began planning a proposal of his own. In June, for our annual Tripoli family vacation we went to Block Island, Rhode Island with our precious nephews. From everything Jonathan had learned from Christopher about the importance of family, it was necessary to include the boys in our special moment. Wearing matching "GUNCLE" shirts, we stepped away to walk around the stunning Spring House Hotel and take in the view of the ocean. Jonathan got down on one knee and presented Christopher a ring of his own. Full of love, Christopher accepted his invitation into the Tripoli family, solidifying his role as a GUNCLE.