Sloan and I first met on March 28, 2019, at a local art gallery after I returned from a conference in Toronto. Despite my less-than-ideal condition that day, she found me intriguing and continued dating me, which marked the beginning of our beautiful journey together.

During the pandemic, we decided to drive to my parents' house in Nova Scotia. It was a five-day road trip filled with conversations and dreams. We stayed for two months, enjoying morning walks by the water, gathering firewood, and working on an old Pink Floyd puzzle. One memorable night, we talked about our future and having a child. Two days before my 30th birthday, Sloan joyfully told me she was pregnant. I was overwhelmed with emotion and hugged her, saying, "We're going to be a family."

On February 14, 2021, we had a simple wedding ceremony in our basement suite, attended only by the wedding commissioner and our two best friends, Anna-Maria and Amir. A few months later, on August 29, 2021, our son Jasper was born. Watching Sloan in labor, I was deeply moved by her strength and the miracle of bringing our beautiful boy into the world. I dedicated myself to helping care for Jasper while finishing my PhD and searching for a job as a university professor. I was fortunate to receive a job offer as a biochemistry professor in Connecticut, my home state.

Sloan supported my decision to accept the position, but we knew moving back to the USA and navigating immigration would be challenging. We moved to Connecticut and purchased a condo in Cromwell. During this period, we also applied for Sloan’s green card, a stressful process that eventually concluded successfully.

As Jasper approached his first birthday, we decided to try for another child. Sloan soon became pregnant, and we were shocked to learn she was carrying twins. Sloan initially felt overwhelmed, while I was filled with excitement. The pregnancy was difficult for Sloan, causing her significant discomfort and limiting her mobility.

On June 22, 2023, Sloan gave birth to our twins, Juniper and Vesper. The first few months were incredibly tough with three young children, and sleep was scarce. However, by the three-month mark, the girls started sleeping through the night, bringing us much-needed relief.

Now, in August 2024, the girls are one year old and starting to walk, while Jasper is about to turn three. Sloan is beginning her master’s degree in counseling at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, where I am also a professor. We initially planned to return to China in the summer of 2025, but with Sloan taking summer classes, we decided to stay in North America and finally have the wedding I have dreamed of for years.

I am profoundly grateful for Sloan, our wonderful children, and all of you who have supported us. Despite the challenges of raising three young children and pursuing demanding careers, our lives are filled with joy and excitement. We look forward to celebrating with you in August 2025.