Thirteen years ago, in snowy Rochester, two Florida natives found themselves at the same Thursday night college party. While most people were mingling, Charlie and his friends were playing cards. Carmela, always eager to play games naturally, wanted in.
There was just one problem: the game had approximately a thousand rules. Charlie patiently explained them, and before long, a card game turned into hours of conversation, friendly competition, and the beginning of something neither of us saw coming.
Between beer pong rematches, Mario Kart nights, hockey games, and adventures around campus, we quickly became each other’s favorite teammate. Charlie even introduced Carmela “100%” to her first taco (which she promptly ate from the middle because, obviously, that’s where the good stuff was).
College eventually came to an end, and Charlie moved to California while Carmela finished school at RIT. Distance tried its best, but Charlie wasn’t about to let a few thousand miles get in the way. Red-eye flights every few weeks became part of the routine, and we’re pretty sure he earned enough airline points to fly around the world twice.
After graduation, Carmela packed up and headed west, and our California chapter began. We explored LA and Orange County, started our careers, discovered Charlie’s unwavering devotion to cookie cakes, and built a life full of new experiences and traditions. Somewhere along the way, we went from figuring out adulthood to figuring out what kind of home we wanted to build together.
Since then, we’ve traveled from Paris to Japan, enjoyed family trips to Puerto Vallarta, navigated career changes, supported each other through life’s harder moments, and eventually bought a home together. We’ve celebrated big milestones and survived plenty of ordinary Tuesdays, too.
Through it all, we’ve learned that a great partnership is a little bit adventure, a little bit teamwork, and a lot of making each other laugh. We’re still competitive, still sending each other ridiculous videos, and still convinced the other one is our favorite person to hang out with.
Seven years after our first trip to Puerto Vallarta, Charlie suggested a long weekend getaway to one of our favorite places. What Carmela thought would be a relaxing trip filled with good food and fun activities turned into something much bigger.
At sunset, on the beach, with roses everywhere, champagne waiting, our song playing, and a photographer capturing it all, Charlie got down on one knee. He had secretly planned every detail.
Of course, she said yes!
After thirteen years together, getting engaged has brought a whole new kind of excitement. We’re planning the next adventure, and this time, we get to celebrate it with all of you.
So here’s to the stories that got us here, the memories still to come, and a lifetime of being each other’s favorite teammate.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you in Cabo!
RSVP