In winter 2018, we started messaging each other through an online dating app. We were local to each other so eventually, we decided to meet over a cup of coffee. The best part is that Chris didn't even drink coffee, but he just went along with it...

And good thing, because we continued to talk and talk. Eventually, we began officially dating in February 2019.

Later in 2019, we were in a position where both of our leases were ending. As crazy as it seemed, we both suggested the idea of moving in together. We were over at each other's place enough so maybe it wasn't that crazy. Many more coffee dates happened, and we loved spending time playing games and watching movies.

And then 2020 got hard. Once we went into lockdown, it was hard to stay motivated. But that was when we got the closest. We relied on each other for so much support. For Marissa, she knew he was the one because he truly cared for and loved her through it all, and she was all in. For Chris, he knew she was the one because she stuck by him and supported him while he was trying to take on a grueling grad school schedule during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.

In 2022, Chris was presented with the opportunity to move to Phoenix for his externship as the final step for his doctorate. We packed up and moved across the country, ready for our new adventure in life. Life got hard again, we went through a lot of emotions. It was hard being so far from friends and family. However, we were a family and showed how significant our love was by being the support for each other through it all.

And finally, on Christmas day in 2022 Chris presented his last present for Marissa (even though she had already found it by accident a few weeks prior) and we officially became engaged. It was an easy decision to bring our wedding back to Illinois where it all started. We can't wait to be surrounded by our friends and family and officially become united.