The Early Years

Melissa and Harris met in 2009 during their freshman year at Princess Anne High School. Melissa decided she wanted to befriend Harris when he and his pals were singing Bohemian Rhapsody (instead of being diligent about their classwork) in Photography class. If you’ve met Melissa, you know that Harris had no choice in the matter. From Journalism to European History, they continued their friendship and supported each other’s studies. Harris spent many afternoons jumpstarting Melissa’s 2001 Chevy Cavalier in the school parking lot after she forgot to turn the headlights off. It’s no wonder he was voted ‘Most Dependable,’ while Melissa, along with Harris’s best friend Dylan, was voted ‘Most Outgoing.’

The College Years

During their sophomore year at Virginia Tech, Melissa and Harris reconnected when they ran into each other at a party where Harris was the DJ. Their friendship quickly picked up where it left off. While Melissa spent a semester abroad in Italy in 2014, they spoke nearly every day. In January of 2015, following Melissa’s return from Italy, a friend from high school asked if Harris was dating anyone, to which he replied, “I guess.” And thus began a seven year long relationship that included many milestones, starting with the adoption of their pet Leopard Gecko, Reptar.

Adulting Together

Melissa and Harris spent two years of their relationship traveling long distance between Fredericksburg, VA and Blacksburg, VA and later between Fredericksburg and Virginia Beach. When Melissa moved to Virginia Beach in 2018 they became cat parents to Snoopy and Houston (Huey). In March 2020, they purchased a home together, where they bunkered down during the COVID pandemic. And in 2021, Harris asked Melissa’s mom, Amy, for her permission to marry Melissa (finally).

The Proposal

January 3, 2022

Their 7th anniversary was on a Monday, so they planned to celebrate later in the week. However, Melissa mentioned the meteor shower happening that night and suggested they go to the beach to see it. Harris promptly grabbed the ring and tucked it in his pocket and they drove to Little Island at Sandbridge Beach. It was blistering cold and windy, but the stars were beautiful so Harris used the opportunity to propose and (surprise!) Melissa said yes!

The First Wedding

March 27 & August 13, 2022

Melissa and Harris took their first (of several) steps in marriage with their traditional Islamic wedding ceremony (Nikkah) in March 2022. This was followed by an elegant reception (Valima) in Chicago last August where the Rizvis welcomed Melissa into their family. While this is an official marriage in the eyes of the Pakistani government and Islamic law, Melissa and Harris are taking one final step in October 2023 so that the U.S. government will allow them to file their taxes as a married couple.