It was fall 2015, at Syracuse University during the mid-term season. Bird Library, a popular study spot on campus, becomes less of a library and more of an arena. It's every student for themselves, and tables disappear faster than your motivation to study. Alseny worked at Bird Library and knew all the secret spots. But on this particular evening, he found absolutely nothing. His only option was to find a familiar face with an empty seat. He spotted his housemate, who waved him over to a table with two women. He said what's up and made his way toward the empty seat next to the mystery woman. "Is it cool if I sit next to you?" "Yes," she said. "I'm Alseny, by the way." "I'm Victoria," she replied. And just like that, they settled in to study. After that night, the universe seemed to have opinions about where Alseny should sit. Every time he went looking for a spot, the only familiar face with an empty seat nearby was Victoria. So for the rest of midterms week they sat together and engaged in small talk between study sessions. Then midterms ended, the library cleared out, and things went back to normal. The story could have ended there. It didn't. A few weeks later, the social chairs of Alseny's fraternity and Victoria's sorority organized a mixer. Alseny and Victoria found each other at the beer pong table, became partners, and destroyed everybody who dared to challenge them. No exaggeration, they won 9 games straight before they stepped aside, and continued getting to know each other in the corner of the kitchen. This was the moment they both felt it, the chemistry that the library had only hinted at. They exchanged numbers before the night was over. A week later, Alseny suggested coffee. Victoria said yes. What she didn't know was that he had already upgraded the plan, taking her to AppeThaizing, a Thai restaurant that, for two broke college students, felt borderline luxurious. It was exactly the kind of move that said "I want to impress you" without saying it out loud. It worked. From that night on, they became each other's favorite distraction. Study dates that turned into hours of conversation about dreams, family, psychology, and life. Time had a way of disappearing when they were together, and soon enough, the school year was almost over. They weren't official yet. But they also weren't ready to hit pause. They agreed to keep seeing each other through the summer. Victoria hadn't experienced much of NYC, so Alseny made it his personal mission to show her everything he could. On August 4th, 2016, a picnic in Central Park sealed the deal. On a buzzing NYC summer day, Alseny asked Victoria to be his girlfriend. And out of nowhere, a butterfly landed on his head. Make of that what you will. She said yes. The next big yes came on July 24th, 2025, in Barbados. Alseny had planned a birthday trip for the two of them, their birthdays only ten days apart, the perfect cover. He told her they were heading to dinner. What she didn't know was that a beach, sunset, and rose-lined walkway were all waiting for her. When they arrived and Victoria saw it, she said, "Oh wow, someone's getting engaged. We gotta get out of the way before they come back." Alseny looked at her. "Do you like it?" It took a second. Then it registered. They both started laughing. Then Victoria started crying. Very on brand. What started as a borrowed seat at a crowded library table turned into a decade of eating their way through New York City, traveling the world, and enjoying being around each other. They watched each other face challenges, grow, and come out the other side a little different but always stronger together. Along the way, they built a community of people they love, and who love them back. Ten years, one butterfly, and one very oblivious proposal reaction later, they're ready for what comes next. This time, Alseny's asking a much bigger question. Hopefully, she says yes again. We can't wait to celebrate it with you.