Who would’ve thought two Americans would have to go all the way to Belgium to find each other? Heather was a teacher in Brussels and John was a research fellow in Leuven. Over an unlikely first date of fish and chips (not exactly a Belgian delicacy!) we bonded over our shared American origins and ex-pat lifestyle. Soon we were both well-acquainted with the short trains between Brussels and Leuven, turning our visits into cherished moments. Before we knew it, John was headed back to Chapel Hill to finish medical school and our bond grew even across the ocean. Heather soon followed and fell in love with North Carolina, just as John had hoped! Since then, we’ve traveled all over the world, cooked delicious meals together, and created a community of amazing friends. We bought a home in Durham and it was there, in our own cozy haven, on October 20th, 2023 where John asked Heather to marry him. Of course, she said yes!