It all started with hockey—because, of course, it did.

CJ and Lizzie met as interns with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the summer of 2018. What began as a group project quickly became something neither of them could quite shake.

Life had other plans for a little while, though. With CJ returning to Washington & Jefferson College and Lizzie heading back to Ohio University, they both knew they had some growing up to do. So, for the next two years, they orbited each other's lives. CJ never missed an opportunity to remind Lizzie he was still around, and Lizzie always knew there was something about him she couldn't imagine living without.

Eventually, Lizzie decided she'd waited long enough and invited CJ to her date party at school. He made the drive, and just like that, they picked up right where they had left off.

After a few weeks of back-and-forth visits, CJ asked Lizzie to be his girlfriend on his 22nd birthday—March 16, 2020. The very next day, the world shut down. The timing was unbelievable, but then again, so were they.

Five incredible years later, on the morning of Lizzie's birthday, CJ suggested they start the day with a fishing line in the water. Lizzie cast her line, turned around, and there he was—down on one knee.

What she thought would be a quiet birthday weekend turned into the surprise of a lifetime, complete with their closest family and friends waiting nearby to celebrate.

Now, they're counting down the days until April 16, 2027, when they'll say "I do" on Longboat Key, Florida. They can't wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of you!