Our story began in the late summer of 2014 at Somerset Academy. Alex was coming back from his summer with Legends Drum and Bugle Corps and Gio was back in South Florida after graduating from FSU, both teaching the percussion section for marching band. Up to that point while Alex was on tour, Gio had heard Alex's name only in passing as "Siegelman" by the other staff members (her contact for him hadn't earned the addition of 'Alex' for a few years). Once we met, the chemistry was instant - but just as friends. We bonded over our shared love of cats and the TV show Archer. It took a few months for our friends to see what we weren't able to see yet - we were meant to be more than just friends. After just over a year of friendship and three months apart with minimal communication while Alex toured his age out DCI season with the Cavaliers, we made the decision to be together. Since then, we have continued to teach and work together within the marching arts, the activity we owe thanks for bringing us together. We bought our first house together in December of 2022 and continue to make each other laugh every day. Our journey together has been nothing short of extraordinary. As we embark on this new chapter of their lives, we do so with hearts full of gratitude for the love that has brought us to this moment and excitement for the adventures that lie ahead.