On a cold February evening in 2015, Chris was visiting some of his friends who happened to live in Joy's apartment building in Worcester, MA. Joy, upon discovering that these mutual friends would be playing the popular "Settlers of Catan" board game (and noticing that Chris was particularly handsome in his scally cap), decided to invite herself over to play the game, as well. While this was their first time officially meeting each other, Chris had attended her nonprofit's (Main IDEA) annual Friday Night Showcase event the previous summer and couldn't help but notice her beauty as she stood onstage. But on that evening with board games and friends, somehow Joy did not scare Chris off with her over-competitive nature (in fact, he found it endearing)!

Later that month, Chris invited Joy and a few friends to go to a winter farmer's market; suspiciously, every single one of these friends bailed out at the last minute, leaving Joy and Chris to go together, alone. Joy was annoyed, but she went anyway. Chris was so positive and excited to show Joy all of his favorite vendors at the farmer's market, and Joy couldn't help but smile at his utter delight and enthusiasm for good food. She decided he was okay. They hung out the rest of the day, learning about each other's families, shopping together, and going snow-tubing together at Green Hill Park!

In the following weeks, Chris seemed to visit the friends in Joy's apartment building much more often, and it seemed he would always find an excuse to meander his way to her door. Eventually, Chris and Joy began spending more and more time together. Chris was so positive and kind (not to mention, easy on the eyes), that Joy could not help but find him charming. So charming was Chris that he was even coerced by Joy's mom into the role of "Prince Charming" at one of Joy's Princess Party events, while she played "Cinderella" (and he was so lucky to slide a glass slipper on the foot of such a breathtaking princess)!

While Chris was attractive and fun to be with, Joy wasn't so sure she wanted to label things quite yet. "I'm not interested in anything serious right now," she told him. Chris simply smiled, unwavering in his interest. Much to Joy's chagrin, she found herself really liking this guy, and eventually gave into the "label" of relationship on Chris' birthday in April. They began to go on many adventures together, including partner's yoga, laser tag, paddle boarding, gaming conventions, baseball games, and so much more!

Joy found herself falling in love with Chris. In fact, she accidentally said it to him several times. She noticed, however, that Chris had not yet said it back. Joy was concerned and begun to think that perhaps Chris was not as into her as she was into him, and she wondered whether she should break things off before she fell even further in love with him. However, on New Year's Eve, at the stroke of midnight in front of the Boston Public Library, as the fireworks filled the air above them, Chris turned to her and said "I love you, Joy". He, too, had fallen in love: in love with the most beautiful and inspiring woman he'd ever known.

Four amazing years later, on New Year's Eve, after so many more adventures, holidays, family gatherings, and a deeper growth in their love together, Chris asked Joy to marry him. She said, "yeah!"