Q. How did you guys first meet and fall in love?

A. We first met in middle school. If you can like someone during their super awkward teenage phase I think that definitely creates a bond. I eventually developed a crush on him, but he was seeing someone else. So we were friends for years before he ended up developing a crush on me in high school. I was totally oblivious at that point. When he finally told me we started dating our senior year. We ended up being on and off in college and going our separate ways based on our careers. But years later we reconnected in 2019 under the guise of walking our dog, Sully, and we've been inseparable ever since.

Q. How did you know you wanted to marry each other and who wanted to tie the knot first?

A. We have been intertwined in each other's lives longer than we have been without each other at this point. It is hard to deny the connection and bond we have built in those struggles and our adventures. I think we both knew we couldn't imagine life without the other and this was our future. I don't know if either of us was "first" but I was definitely more vocal about my wants. (LOL)

Q. Why did you choose HIDDENSPACE, how did you hear about us, and what made you decide on this specific ring?

A. I'm a very unconventional and nontraditional bride. Zac is much more traditional around weddings. I knew I didn't want a diamond ring, but it was hard finding something we both agreed looked nice. I randomly saw a HIDDENSPACE ring on Instagram and immediately sent it to my best friend telling her it was the most gorgeous ring I had ever seen. She told me to send it to Zac, but I was too nervous. When we sat down to talk about rings months later I showed him a few for inspiration and ended with the Eliana Ring. He didn't like any I showed him but that one. So I confessed how I hadn't stopped thinking about it and it was my favorite one I've seen. I really wanted yellow gold and loved the unique shape. We often say green is our color so I was leaning towards a green stone. I love the organic look of the moss agate veins. I'm also into crystals and moss agate represents the heart chakra as well as abundance and growth, which I think is great for our love and marriage.

Q. Tell us about the details of the proposal & the wedding. How did you feel? How did it go?

A. We were planning a trip with his parents to go to the Grand Canyon. I was suspicious because he was trying to plan all kinds of unnecessary extravagant things, but he said it had nothing to do with a proposal. So I pushed it out of my mind. While on the trip hiking around in the morning, his dad was posing us in all kinds of weird ways (he used to be a wedding photographer) it made me suspicious all over again, but nothing happened. By the afternoon I just assumed it was all in my head. Then as we were finding a spot to watch the sunset everyone was acting evasive and grumpy. They'd walk away from me and they all seemed on edge. I was so confused as to why they flipped moods. I mean we are at a world wonder here! Zac finally found a spot at the Grand Canyon he thought was worthy and asked to take a photo with me. As soon as he grabbed my hands, I knew he was proposing. It was a private overlook just as the sun was starting to set and it was very sweet. We eloped in October at Rawlings Conservatory in Baltimore, MD. It's a beautiful, lush greenhouse. We did a first look where Zac cried despite saying he wouldn't (I knew he would). During our ceremony, we did a handfasting ritual and exchanged our rings that had been warmed by the love of our family & friends. Afterwards, we had a picnic on the grounds with a champagne toast and lots of desserts. We went to dinner at the restaurant where we celebrated our first-ever anniversary, Woodberry Kitchen. So 20 years after our first meeting and 14 years after our first date, we finally said "I do.”We had an intimate celebration with friends and family a few days later in Fells Point, Baltimore with a party at Barcocina. The whole weekend was full of laughter & love. We were feeling blissful as we hopped on the flight to our honeymoon to cap it all off.

“During the lockdown in 2020, [...] we set out all the pillows and blankets on the floor and made an indoor picnic.”

Q. Describe your romantic night or the most romantic day you guys have ever shared.

A. During the lockdown in 2020, we celebrated our first anniversary back together as adults. We couldn't go out so we decided to get takeout from some of our favorite places. We set out all the pillows and blankets on the floor and made an indoor picnic. We watched a new movie and enjoyed our favorite foods. We wrote each other letters instead of exchanging cards. It was the perfect way to honor our reconnection.

Q. Any advice to couples or newlyweds? Anything else you’d like to share with the world?

A. Our advice would be to communicate well. You need to be open and honest, but you also need to be able to "fight fair" and ask for what you need before it's too late. We recommend checking in once a month on what you loved most that your partner did recently and what you may need from each other in the near future.