Some stories begin with a grand gesture or a serendipitous twist of fate. Ours? It began with a party I (Chris) wasn’t even really invited to.


Back in college, my cousin dragged me along to a birthday celebration. Turns out, I wasn’t technically on the guest list—but by the time that came up, I was already standing at the front door, so… they let me in. That night, I briefly crossed paths with Joyce. We exchanged a few words, but nothing more—just a short moment in a crowded room. Neither of us knew it then, but that moment was the first chapter of something unforgettable.


Fast forward to our final semester of college, at yet another birthday party. This time, we really talked. I noticed Joyce looking a little bored, so I asked if she wanted to play foosball. She agreed. Three games later and I still hadn’t scored a single point—Joyce absolutely destroyed me. I don’t know if it was the laughter, the ease of conversation, or the fact that she was casually unbeatable at table soccer but I remember thinking, “This girl might be the one.”


From there, everything just started to click. Whether we were sharing late-night conversations, going on spontaneous adventures, or simply enjoying each other’s company in silence, being with Joyce always felt right.


On August 18th, 2024, our 5th anniversary, I asked her to marry me at Lake Louise in Banff National Park. As we looked through a scrapbook I made—filled with memories from our time together—the final pages read “Will you marry me?” I pulled out the ring, and through tears, she said yes. We cried in each other’s arms, holding onto a moment we’d remember forever.


Is our relationship one-of-a-kind? Maybe not to the world. But to me, it’s everything. This is our story.