Tallahassee, Florida – the city where our story unfolded. Introduced by mutual friends, an immediate connection sparked over a Y-Bomb at a favorite haunt. Little did we know that bonding over a revolting (and potentially life-threatening) cocktail would blossom into a powerful love. However, our cliché college love story took a detour; we pursued separate paths for four years before reconnecting in 2017.

Fast forward to post-graduate life – Codi returned to Sarasota for her current healthcare career, and I took a job in Tampa to maximize shareholder value. On a fortunate New Year's Eve, Codi agreed to pre-festivity drinks at my apartment. Unbeknownst to her, I had shared with a mutual friend (shoutout Pete) that if Codi were ever single and interested, "I would do everything in my power to marry that girl" – end quote.

"We're golden," I thought. The woman of my dreams was coming over, and a New Year's kiss was inevitable. However, in classic Martin fashion, I once again found a way to mess it up. Our love was sidelined for another year (gross) until a fortunate day in 2018 when friendship rekindled our connection. Now determined to convince her to see the good in me, the full-court press was on. Somehow, someway, Codi found my antics endearing, and thankfully so, as she has since given me the greatest five years of my life. As one accustomed to the occasional blunder, the one thing I'm undoubtedly certain to have gotten correct is asking Codi Auten to marry me.

Now, onto the real gift – the love and support from all of you gathering on our special day. We can't wait to celebrate with the foundational relationships that brought us together – our friends and family. We'll dance, we'll laugh, and even do a Y-Bomb. Come one, come all to witness the beautiful matrimony of the future Velasteguis.