We met in the middle of 2022, not knowing that life was about to change in the best possible way. By June of that year, our first date turned into something deeper—an easy, steady happiness that felt like home from the very beginning.

From the start, being together just made sense. We discovered that we love experiencing the world side by side, whether we’re exploring someplace new or enjoying a quiet day doing absolutely nothing. Over the years, California became “our place,” and we’ve vacationed there three summers in a row—each trip filled with memories that feel like pieces of our story stitched together.

We’ve grown by learning each other’s joys, too. Domenic knows how much I love bookstores, so no matter where we go, he always finds one for us to wander through. And because he loves sports, especially baseball, I’ve joined him in visiting new stadiums on every trip—helping him get closer to his goal of seeing each MLB ballpark.

In December 2023, he asked me to marry him, and it was the easiest “yes” I’ve ever said.

Together, we prove that 1 + 1 = 11—because when we stand side by side, giving each other our truest selves, we become something stronger, fuller, and whole. Our lives are better not because we’re perfect, but because we choose each other, every day, in every moment—whether we’re adventuring across the country or curled up at home.

And this is just the beginning of our forever.