Our story starts just like every great love story does… at work! Alex and Vale found their way to Washington, D.C. by way of Phoenix, Arizona and Sydney, Australia to follow their dreams of working in international development. Alex and Vale’s relationship had a rocky start when Vale accused her of trying to steal his program budget (a claim he maintains to this day!) But over time during those extensive flights around the globe, sweltering DC summers at the work softball league games, mug nights at First Down, and way too many weird libertarian conferences, they became great friends.

The very first conference that Alex and Vale worked with each other. Fun fact - they almost died in the car together picking up Jimmy Johns sandwiches for the attendees!

Our story continues when in early 2023, the time was finally right. Realizing that their friendship had the potential to grow into something much bigger, Vale waltzed into Alex’s office at work and said: “Dinner. How ‘bout it?” Over red wine and a gluten-free/ dairy-free/ fun-free pizza, sparks flew. In the early days they kept their budding relationship a secret at work and got to know each other more by cooking together, going to baseball games, hiking, and exploring DC's Smithsonian museums.

After they were official at work, Alex & Vale “hard launched” (as the kids say!) their relationship with a weekend together in Budapest after a work event. They strolled around the city, drank way too many Aperol Spritz’s, took a river cruise down the Danube, and ate their weight in goulash and spaetzle. After a night together at a local wine bar down the street from their AirBnB, they both realized this was the real thing. They talked about their goals for life, relationships, the future family they wanted, and quickly realized that this was love.

Not long after, things got really official when Alex took Vale to meet her family in Arizona and Vale brought Alex along on his family vacation to Dubai. Spending time with each others’ families only further solidified their connection. Later that year, Alex moved in with Vale and they added a little furry friend named Rose to their family!

Alex and Vale had talked openly and extensively about marriage and the future in the early days of their relationship, and so Alex had an inkling that a proposal would come in the spring of 2024. But after making plans to go to a winery with friends and sending Vale off (in sweatpants!) to go play video games with a friend, Alex was surprised when she ended up at Gravelly Point to see Vale waving at her from outside of the car. Of course Alex said, “YES!” and they spent the day celebrating with close friends.

We are so grateful to be starting the next chapter of life with the love and support of our amazing family & friends. We can’t wait to celebrate with you all and create even more memories in the years to come!