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It all started in 2018 when two recent college grads found themselves starting new chapters in North Carolina. Christina had just moved from Georgia to Charlotte, and Richard had come from Florida to Greensboro.

When we met, Richard was immediately kind and thoughtful, making sure Christina got home safely that night. Christina, on the other hand, made quite an impression. At one point she stood on the bar to look for her missing friend and ended up being kicked out shortly after. Richard thought she was bold and unafraid to do what she wanted, and he wasn’t wrong.

Our first date was at the aquarium, and that first year was spent exploring Charlotte together. We were new to the city, so every weekend meant something different: the Greek Festival, the Renaissance Festival, even the Grilled Cheese Festival. We were complete foodies, eager to try it all. When Richard moved to Charlotte a few months later, we both knew this was becoming something real.

We took our time before moving in together, partly because of Kashi, Christina’s fluffy husky, and partly because we both valued our own space. (Richard, for the record, is allergic to dogs—true love in action.) Two years in, we finally found our place together, and that’s where the best chapters of our story began.

Years later, when we began talking about marriage, we wanted the engagement ring to reflect us. Designing it together became one of our favorite memories. We spent weeks meeting with jewelers and reviewing renderings, growing more excited with each appointment. The marquise center stone and two side stones symbolize a sentiment we hold close: Individually we are whole; together we are more.

In November 2024, we traveled to Japan, a trip we had dreamed about for years. While exploring a quiet park in Tokyo, surrounded by golden ginkgo trees and fiery red maples, Richard got down on one knee. Christina was so overwhelmed with excitement that she barely remembers what he said, only that it was perfect.

These days, life feels warm and full. We’ve grown up together through career changes, birthdays, and countless cozy nights in. We still have Kashi, who affectionately refers to us as “the girl” and “the boy” in our house lore. We go to the gym together, meal prep on Sundays, and never miss a Friday date night. At this point, we’re basically already married—this just makes it official.

After seven years and countless adventures, we’re still best friends, ready for the next chapter.