Some love stories take time to unfold, and others are written in the stars from the very beginning. Ours is a little bit of both. We met at a small gathering of friends, not knowing that night would change our lives forever. From the moment we started talking, the world around us faded away. We were completely lost in conversation, laughing and sharing stories as if we had known each other forever. There was an undeniable connection between us—one so natural and effortless that time seemed to stand still. When the night came to an end, Galey felt something he had never felt before. He knew, without a doubt, that Vanessa was special. That she was the one. But as much as he felt it in his heart, his shyness held him back. He couldn’t bring himself to ask for her number—until a close friend nudged him to go for it. That small push changed everything. What followed was more than just a friendship; it was the foundation of a lifelong love story. Even when life took us in different directions—Vanessa moving to Maryland and Galey to Jamaica before returning to Connecticut—we never lost touch. No matter the distance, Galey’s love never wavered. He went out of his way to see Vanessa, finding any excuse to be near her. He would travel miles just to spend a few hours with her, because for him, any time with Vanessa was worth it. She was the woman he had fallen in love with the very first night they met, and he never stopped believing that one day, she would be his wife. Over the years, that love only grew stronger. Vanessa saw the depth of Galey’s heart—the way he cherished her, the way he would drop everything just to be with her. And though it took time, her heart caught up with his. The man who had spent years loving her, waiting for her, and chasing after her with unwavering devotion was the man she realized she couldn’t live without. Together, we built something beautiful—traveling, exploring, and creating memories in new cities and across the Caribbean. Each adventure brought us closer, strengthening the love we had always shared. But what meant the most was the family we created along the way. Galey’s son has always been by his side, and as our love story unfolded, Vanessa became part of that bond. She admired the incredible father that Galey was and loved him even more for it. Family was everything to Galey, and it was everything to Vanessa too. Then came the moment that changed our lives forever. On a trip to Jamaica, surrounded by love and family, Galey made the promise he had known in his heart for years. He got down on one knee and asked Vanessa to spend forever with him. She arrived on that trip as his love, but she returned home as his fiancée. Now, as we step into this next chapter, we do so knowing that our love was meant to be. It has been patient, strong, and unshakable from the very beginning. We are so grateful for every moment that brought us here, and we can’t wait to celebrate the beginning of our forever with all of you. With love, Galey & Vanessa