Our Story
Corel’s Version
“It all started when my brother and I escaped to Miami to avoid New York’s lock down, which in hindsight was probably irresponsible. But hey - why else go to Miami if not to be irresponsible?
We were at Novotel’s rooftop pool, where I noticed a girl sitting by the pool on her laptop. I floated my way towards her and we started talking - she shared a lot of things with me including that she was visiting with another friend, Liz. She also shared a lot more information than Liz would’ve liked, knowing her now. Haha.
In the middle of our conversation, this beautiful girl walks up to the pool, and sets her laptop down next to the girl I was speaking to. She takes a seat on the deckchair next to us and starts eating her sandwich - only she attacks the freaking thing sideways! I was stunned. And since it’s not everyday that life provides you with an opportunity to open like that… I took the leap. I decided it would be smart to re-tell her everything I knew about her as though I was psychic and knew everything about her already. But all I received back was an uninterested smile back - ouch.
Two days later we invited her nicer friend [and some other friends that joined their trip - for what I found out later was Liz’s birthday] to Joia Beach in Miami for a few drinks. We all got a van, but of course she made us wait twenty minutes while getting ready. All my frustration quickly subsided the second she walked out of that hotel. She looked stunning.
Still terrified of her, I was still hopeful she would sit next to me. She did. She closes the door, turns to me and her very first words? “So I guess my friends tell me I need to be nice to you?” You’re probably thinking that must’ve been one loooong car ride. But on the contrary, that dry, sarcastic nature is what I really fell in love with it, and very much echoes our banter filled relationship that makes everyday worth waking up for.”
Liz’s Version
“Miami for my 29th birthday with the girls was exactly what I needed. Who didn’t want to secretly travel to a place to experience a reminder of what it felt like for the world to be open? We had a fun filled week planned, and although I had to work through the fun, I was grateful I was able to work by a pool in the sun, getting a much needed tan. Jess and I were the first ones to arrive and while we were waiting for Diana to join us. We got a coffee and went to work by the pool. I was unfortunately on a few work phone calls and had no time to go eat lunch, so Jess was kind enough to get us Publix sandwiches.
After wrapping up a work call, I returned back to my chair to eat and saw Corel floating in the pool. He waved and I nodded my head to say hello. Now - here’s where he says I ignored him - but on the contrary, I had my AirPods still in on ‘noise canceling’ mode from my last meeting and I did not hear anything he said. I was also very hungry, so my priority was that sandwich, which was so dry and barely had any filling… so what did I do? Turned it to the side, and ate it. Smart, right? I know.
After two days, our routine was coffee and pool. Although, by that day I was burnt because I carelessly thought I didn’t need sunscreen - resulting in me spending most of my time taking calls in the shade. My friends were sitting by the pool talking to Corel and his brother and soon after came over to tell me that I had apparently been extremely rude to Corel and I had to be nice because him and his brother invited us to Joia beach. I had no idea who they were even talking about. When was I mean? To who?
Corel ordered us all a car (in true Corel fashion), just way too early. A girl needed an hour to allocate to get ready - but let’s just say I was fashionably late to the Uber. When I peeked in the car, a seat was open next to Corel, I sat down and said “So I guess I have to be nice to you?” and from there I continued to give him a hard time. Although he won some brownie points when I realized our dogs looked almost identical. He spent the night talking to me way more than I wanted to talk to any guy - but I secretly loved it. For a long time I thought every guy was the same, and had a hard time believing there was such thing as “the one”. But Corel is the one, and proves me wrong on that sentiment everyday. I had no idea that a guy I met in Miami (of all places) could be as caring and authentic. I got lucky and feel lucky everyday.”
After Miami, we had a single date in New York. From there, we packed our bags and travelled the world - from Costa Rica to Austin, Crete, Athens, Positano, Malta, Vegas, Sedona, Paris, Lake Como, Portofino, London, Porto, Ibiza, Madrid, Morocco (where we got engaged) and back to Florida where we bought our first home together…etc. Below are some photos capturing our shenanigans: