Alec and Phi’s story started with a swipe right in the winter of 2017. Phi was living at home with her parents, and Alec was back from college for winter break. At the time, Phi was planning a trip to New York City with two other couples and was determined not to be the fifth wheel. She mentioned it in her Tinder profile, and Alec immediately used it as his opening line.

Their conversation took off right away. After a few messages and plenty of laughs, they moved over to Snapchat to make sure they were both real people. Thankfully, they looked just as cute as their Tinder photos.

Not long after, they decided to meet in person.

When Alec pulled up to Phi’s house, the first thing she noticed was his blonde highlights. Seeing the look on her face, he quickly explained that he had lost a bet with his fraternity brothers and had to bleach his hair. Needless to say, she was relieved.

Their first date was simple. Driving around Phi’s hometown while listening to Drake and Dave Matthews Band. But to Alec, it felt anything but ordinary. Phi was excited to show him around the place that had shaped her, pointing out familiar streets and sharing stories about her life along the way. He loved seeing that side of her, open, spontaneous, and so easy to spend time with. As she talked about her dream of one day leaving her hometown and setting off on a new adventure, Alec found himself drawn to her curiosity and sense of possibility.

The conversation flowed effortlessly. Alec shared stories about his passion for art, the experiences that had shaped him, and his hopes for the future. They were both different from anyone the other had met before, and by the end of the night, they each left wanting to know more.

After that, they talked almost every day. Even though they lived four hours apart, they made it work through FaceTime calls and weekend visits.

One trip in particular stands out in their story. During a visit to Philadelphia, something shifted. Exploring the city together, wandering through historic streets, and spending uninterrupted time with each other made their relationship feel deeper and more certain. It was the moment they both realized this was becoming something special.

They continued long distance for about a year until Alec graduated and accepted an internship in Washington, D.C. Soon after, they moved in together and started building a life side by side. They spent their time exploring the city, finding favorite restaurants, and creating a community of friends.

Seven years later, the day before his birthday, Alec got down on one knee and asked Phi to marry him.

She didn't hesitate. The answer was yes.