As expats in Geneva, one evening Christie and Alex both attended a local alumni event for their former university, the London School of Economics. She, along with her several girlfriends, intended to network for a new job. Alex went to make English-speaking friends since his French was abysmal. Catching each other's eyes across the room, they struck up a conversation and ultimately left the event to chat for hours at a candle-lit, hole-in-the-wall wine bar along the banks of Lake Geneva.

In the warmth of a Texas winter, Alex had laid out flowers and lanterns across the family backyard. White lights were strung up above, lining the branches of a beautiful old tree. This was all set up while Christie was patiently listening to another (and another) "must hear" song from Alex's father, far away at the other end of the house. With Taylor Swift playing in the background, Christie was ushered outside to find Alex waiting in the circle of flowers and lanterns. In the golden hour as the Texan sun was setting, Alex proposed to Christie with ring-in-hand while down on one knee. She said YES! We're so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you soon in Puglia!