We both worked in the same role in different states for 3 years: Branches together in 2020, Pilots in 2021, and Districts in 2022. We were zoom friends for years until we finally met in person for the first time at a retreat in Austin, TX. It was instant fireworks. By the end of the second day, we were talking about how we were gonna make long distance work since I lived in Virginia and he lived in Minnesota.

We were long distance for 2.5 years, which was super fun and full of virtual dates, goodbyes at the airport, and getting to be tourists in our own cities! It was actually a blast. Zoom dates included game nights, watching movies, and weekly check-in questions.

And luckily we had several company events and retreats where we somehow still got to see each other about every month, which meant getting to cross off a ton of dreams together!

I had suspicions that Alex would propose on a month-long trip we took in March, but between Barcelona, Madrid, Tbilisi, and Tulum, I wasn't sure where or when it would happen. I ruled out Georgia because I figured he didn't know anything or anyone in the country.

When he didn't propose in Barcelona, I thought it wasn't happening on this trip at all and was telling all my friends (who knew and somehow kept it a secret) that I didn't think he was gonna propose.

Little did I know though... that Alex planned the proposal with my aunt (who lives in Georgia) and my mom. With their help, he coordinated a skyline dinner, a professional photographer and an amazing after party with my family on one of our last days. It was perfect and I was 1000% surprised.

Bonus fun fact: they didn't tell my sister because she would have definitely been the one to give it away. Shoutout Ellen.

We were married in Tbilisi, Georgia on March 1 surrounded by a small group of family and friends who live there as well as those who could make the trip.

We look forward to celebrating our marriage with our Minnesota friends and family!