Christopher & Natalie began dating during their senior year of high school. It began as mutually beneficial weekly homework sessions (Natalie writing Christopher's English essays, Christopher attempting to explain differential equations, and each of them competing over their most recent AP Chemistry exam scores). Neither can agree on exactly what their first date was as the lines slowly blurred between friendship and something more.

Fast forward three-and-a-half years later, Christopher found himself on his first European adventure with a HUGE ring in his carry-on. The summer prior, he begged Natalie to let him crash the mother-daughter graduation trip that had been planned for years. Little did Natalie know, he had ulterior motives for this trip.

Before their tour of the Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona, a photographer approached the couple offering to take free photos of them to enhance her portfolio (this "random" photographer was, in fact, planted by Chris). He proposed with the perfect backdrop of the beautifully unfinished basilica.

Natalie jokes that you can tell she had no clue the proposal was happening that day because her hair was up: a tell-tale sign it hadn't been washed!

The Future Mr. & Mrs. Blankenship chose their New Year's Day wedding date because it will be their five-year anniversary. They look forward to celebrating with their favorite people!