K-BBQ Beginnings: Our love story began in 2021, when we both took time off during medical school to embark on dedicated dermatology research years. Yen was at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, and Joseph was at Mount Sinai in NYC. During one fortuitous weekend in September, Joseph visited home in northern Virginia and planned a get-together with friends. On September 5th, 2021, at a cozy K-BBQ restaurant called Meat Project (Michael's recommendation), we met eyes for the first time as Yen walked through the door. There was an instant connection that sparked between us that endured throughout the dinner despite sitting at opposite ends of the table. Not wanting the night to end, we extended the festivities at karaoke, where we sang our first duet, "A Whole New World." From Cruises to Catholicism: As a lifelong cruise enthusiast, Joseph invited Yen on a cruise, and although Yen declined, this invitation opened the door for our continued conversations. We met again in Philadelphia and attended mass together for the first time. Connecting in faith brought our relationship to a deeper level, and this was the beginning of our lifelong spiritual journey together. Long Distance & Love We had our first official date in NYC — a night of karaoke, echoing our love for music and each other's company. As we completed our final year of medical school (Yen at UMKC, Joseph at Mount Sinai), we embarked on a long-distance relationship and committed to couples matching together in Dermatology. Despite the distance and time-zone differences, we devoted time to each other daily and developed a deeper love for each other with each day. Yen pursued several away rotations in NYC, where she learned to navigate the subway system. Joseph frequented Kansas City, where he discovered his love for Joe's KC BBQ. On Match Day, March 18, 2023, we were thrilled to receive the news that we could continue our journeys in medicine together — successfully couples matching together for our intern year at Mount Sinai in NYC and dermatology residency at Stanford in California. Residency & the Road Ahead: Since then, we have built a tapestry of shared experiences: TWO cruises (the first to Alaska, the second to Turkey, Greece, Croatia, and Italy), growing in faith through dedicated Bible study & retreats, lots of karaoke/Broadway shows, and an unwavering love for each other that grows stronger with each passing day. We have navigated challenges hand-in-hand, such as couples matching, intern year, and healing from Joseph's hip surgery. Yet, despite the challenges, we've celebrated each other daily. Ours is a love story written in karaoke, cruises, cooking and the combined moments that make life truly extraordinary. THANK YOU for being a part of our lives! We can't wait to celebrate with you!