Like many great love stories, ours began in the most romantic place imaginable: Tinder. It was the middle of COVID, the world was shut down, and apparently swiping right counted as a social activity.

We started talking while Sophie was back home in Miami and Joey was living in Orlando. After months of getting to know each other through texts, phone calls, and way too much screen time, Sophie returned to Orlando to finish her senior year at UCF, and we finally had our first date.

Was it love at first sight? Not exactly.

But there was definitely something there.

That first date turned into Joey coming over the very next day, and somehow that turned into spending nearly every day (and night) together ever since. What started as two people trying to survive a pandemic quickly became a partnership built on laughter, late-night talks, and learning how to navigate life side by side.

Over the past six years, we've grown up together in more ways than we ever imagined. We've celebrated milestones, supported each other through challenges, and walked through some of life's hardest moments—including the loss of Sophie's mom and, two years later, Joey's dad. Through it all, we've learned that love isn't always about fireworks or instant certainty. Sometimes it's about showing up every day, choosing each other again and again, and finding strength, and love, in the person standing beside you.

What started as a swipe has grown into a beautiful relationship, and we can't wait to celebrate the next chapters with all of you.