Our story began in the band room at Commack High School on the first day of school in 2013; it was Cristina's first day of high school and Derek's first day of 11th grade. They met at marching band practice where both of them played the trombone. After two years of dating in high school and six years of dating long distance, Derek asked Cristina to marry him on November 11, 2022. The rest is history.