Krista’s version: If you have ever asked me and James how we met, you probably know how we infamously met through the Incoming Binghamton University Students GroupMe. It all started with a “thx” and “i got you homie” (to my complete embarrassment). The start of our relationship wasn't entirely glamorous, or smooth, as it tends to go for 18 year olds. We were both seniors in high school and hit it off instantly. Our first date consisted of last-minute Mother’s Day gift shopping at Macy’s (James had already begun outsourcing tasks to me) and milkshakes at the Atlantis Diner. Fast forward to August 2023, where we celebrated our promotions to Associate with a two week long trip to Paris, Madrid and Lisbon. On our third day in Paris, James planned a “formal breakfast” and informed me that we had to dress up and be ready at 8am. Except instead of a fancy restaurant, James brought me to the Palais Royal, where he had hired a photographer and, to my utter surprise, got down on one knee and proposed. We proceeded to run to The Louvre to see the Mona Lisa (due to an appointment I had unwittingly made) and grabbed brunch at a nearby cafe while anxiously waiting until it was a normal time back in the US to call our family and friends and share the exciting news. We are so excited for what is to come and cannot wait to share this amazing day with our family and friends.

James’ version: If you have ever asked Krista and me how we met, you probably know how we met through direct message in the Incoming Binghamton University Students GroupMe. I had started to do some early marketing and had advertised publicly to my future peers to follow me on Instagram. Krista responded letting me know that she had answered my request and I promptly started to message her. I was just wrapping up my last final exams at the time and our first date consisted of last-minute Mother’s Day gift shopping at Macy’s on a very stormy night. When we went to pay at Macy’s, we realized we both used the same bank, NEFCU, and I really did believe in credit unions at the time and thought that was a great sign she had such good fiscal instincts. After shopping, we had milkshakes at the Atlantis Diner (I had not yet accepted that dairy does not agree with me). Our relationship grew throughout college and we continued to support each other every step of the way. Fast forward to August 2023, when we celebrated our promotions to Associate with a two-week-long trip to Paris, Madrid, and Lisbon. On our third day in Paris, I planned a “formal breakfast” that I “found on Tik Tok” and informed Krista that we had to dress up and be ready at 8 a.m. Instead I took her to the Palais Royal, where I had hired a photographer and, feeling very nervous, got down on one knee and proposed. We ended the day with an amazing dinner overlooking the Eiffel Tower and could not be happier. We are excited to take this next step in our relationship and celebrate it with all of you.

Registry