What was supposed to be a simple first date in Chicago somehow turned into staying up talking until 6 a.m. After that, weekends quickly became something we both looked forward to, even when they meant long drives just to spend a little more time together.

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  From the beginning, being together felt easy. We could talk for hours and never run out of things to say. Somewhere between the late nights, long drives, and quiet weekends, it became pretty clear we had found something special. Being apart didn't feel right, and those drives stopped feeling long pretty quickly.

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  Since then, we've built a life together—moving from Chicago to California, and eventually to North Carolina—collecting memories along the way. Some of our favorites are the simple ones, like exploring Asheville with no plan other than asking strangers what we should do, or laughing our way through an entire dinner.

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  The proposal was perfectly us. What started as a suspicious "run" (something Bryce absolutely does not do) somehow turned into a walk down a trail lined with photos, a blanket waiting at the end, and the easiest "yes" imaginable. Even the ring tells our story, with a California poppy and a King Protea representing two places that shaped us.

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   Looking back, every move, every road trip, and every adventure led us here. We can't wait to celebrate the next chapter with all of you.