Let's take it back to 2018: Wes had just transferred to Chapman University. He was new, determined to succeed, and walked around campus in cowboy boots (before it was cool). Alyssa was fresh in her reign as Miss Huntington Beach and fresh on the market, as well. There was a Kappa Date Party around the corner and after some Sauvignon Blanc on a Thursday night, she slid into Wes's DMs and snatched herself a plus one for Ugly Sweater Bowling Night. The night went well, their knees touched on the bus ride back, and then... That was it. Wes had another date party with a different girl the following night, so he needed to get his rest! Well, it turns out that second date party paled in comparison to his night of watching Alyssa's shockingly bad bowling form in the itchy seuqined t-shirt she crafted for him. Naturally, Wes tried to lock it down immediately (gotta love a man who knows what he wants). Except, that's not what Alyssa had in mind, so the start of 2019 began with a handshake and thus entered: The Year of Just Friends. They did all the things that friends do... Wes would stop by the pool deck during her lifeguard shift to bring her snacks from the caf... As friends. Alyssa invited Wes to hang out at the water polo house for movie nights... As friends. They went out dancing... As friends. They had a joint birthday weekend in Newport for their 21st... As friends. They even kissed... As friends! After a thorough pros & cons list on Alyssa's side, and the patience of a saint on Wes's side, they ultimately decided to date... As friends. (just kidding...kinda) *Enter Montage of the Next 4 Years* College fun (like Wes holding Alyssa's hair over the toilet after Undie Run). Graduation, yay! One more season of water polo for Wes, records are broken! Corporate America debut. Uh-oh, global lockdown. Wes moves in with The Welfringers. Heads are shaved. Masks are worn. Alyssa embraces WFH tanning. Life slowly returns to normal. Psych-- Wes is going to Australia now! Alyssa joins him for a couple months, life is good, they'll be back. Okay, back to normal. JK! Wes is in Greece now. Okay, we're back. They move in together (without Jon & Sue). Costa Mesa is nice (I mean, it's no Australia, but it's fine). Every weekend involves a coffee date & an almond croissant, Alyssa makes sure it's split evenly. They talk of marriage. Alyssa drops extremely subtle hints (yeah right). And then finally... Under the guise of a birthday boating excursion, Alyssa & Wes cruise around the Newport Harbor with friends, eating cured meats and drinking a pickle wine spritz (don't knock it till you try it). The boat stops, the dock is staged with roses and candles, Alyssa and Wes both black out and when they come to, boom they're engaged. They spend the evening with friends and family to celebrate and then proceed to not plan a wedding for the next 8 months. Now we're here, with an actual countdown to August 22, 2025. Decisions are being made. The plans are planning. And almond croissants are still being consumed almost every Saturday. We can't wait to celebrate this near 7-year journey with our favorite people and have you with us when we say 'I do'... As friends.