Like so many modern romances, our story began with a swipe. Alli was living in Chicago, preparing for her move to Florida, and Kevin was already soaking up the sunshine down south. We matched, started chatting, and soon enough had our first date planned. But life (and dogs) had other plans. Kevin’s dog, in true troublemaker fashion, decided to eat the stuffing out of her toys, which led to a last-minute trip to the emergency vet and a raincheck on our first date.

When we finally did meet, it was worth the wait. We spent the day wandering around Morikami Gardens, walking the loop three times, completely wrapped up in conversation. We could’ve kept talking forever. By our second date, we stumbled upon one of the craziest coincidences. As we got to talking about apartments, Alli mentioned she was on the waitlist for a place downtown, only to find out Kevin was already living there. But that wasn’t all—the apartment that eventually opened up for Alli was just three doors down from his. In a building with two towers and four floors each, the odds of that happening? Slim to none. It was either going to be really awkward or really perfect. Luckily, it was perfect.

Family has always been at the heart of our relationship. It’s one of the things that brought us closer, and as we navigated life together, we realized how much our families' love and values shaped who we are. It was only fitting that Kevin chose to propose in Vero Beach, a place filled with deep family connections. On the sand, right in front of The Gables—his grandparents' condo—he got down on one knee. The setting was special, not only because of its beauty, but because it was a place where generations of his family had created lasting memories.

But Kevin’s proposal didn’t just stop with the location. The engagement ring itself was another piece of our family history, passed down from Alli’s grandma. Every time Alli looks down at her hand, she’s reminded of the generations of love that paved the way for us to be where we are today. It feels like a beautiful merging of our pasts as we build our future together.

Family is everything to us, and that includes our fur family. Our dogs, Achilles and Kuzy, have been inseparable ever since they met—just like us. They’re our daily companions, bringing laughter, loyalty, and so much joy into our lives. Watching them bond has been one of the best parts of our journey together, reminding us daily of the love we share. It’s safe to say that our little family, both human and canine, is full of love.