Our Story

Claire and Paul’s story started the way many good stories do: through a mutual friend.

When they first met, neither of them was particularly impressed. Paul thought Claire was a little maarte. Claire thought Paul was a little baduy. Not exactly love at first sight.

But somehow, despite those glowing first impressions, they started dating when Claire was 17 and Paul was 19. What began as a simple relationship slowly became the easiest and most natural part of their lives.

When people ask about their favorite memory together, the truth is, they don’t really have just one. Some of their favorite memories aren’t grand adventures or milestone celebrations. They’re the ordinary days: sharing meals, talking about everything and nothing, or simply sitting together in comfortable silence. They’ve learned that when you’re with the right person, even doing absolutely nothing can be something worth remembering.

One of their favorite stories is how they got engaged.

By that point, they had already talked about marriage for years, so Claire knew a proposal was coming eventually. What she didn’t know was when.

When the ring finally arrived, Paul excitedly opened the package while Claire was asleep. Unfortunately for him, she suddenly woke up needing to use the bathroom. As she walked out of the room half asleep, he panicked and assumed she’d seen the ring. With a nervous smile, he held it out to her.

Still barely conscious, Claire glanced at what he was holding and assumed it was another online purchase, maybe a perfume or something equally unimportant. She gently pushed him aside and continued straight to the bathroom.

It wasn’t until a few minutes later, when she was actually awake, that Paul showed her the box again. This time, with the ring clearly visible.

And that’s when she finally realized what was happening.

Not the smoothest proposal in history, but a pretty accurate representation of their relationship.

Over the years, Claire and Paul have built a relationship where neither of them has to pretend. They can be honest, vulnerable, weird, serious, silly, and completely themselves without fear of being judged. That’s what they love most about each other, and it’s what has made every year together feel easy, even when life isn’t.

After all this time, they’re still each other’s favorite person to come home to, laugh with, and share life’s moments with.

And now, they’re excited to begin the next chapter together.