Nadia and Lucas’s story began on the very first day of Nadia’s freshman year of high school and Lucas’s sophomore year (August 24, 2014). In 5th period bio, Lucas walked up and asked to switch seats so he could sit next to his friend. While Nadia’s immediate response was to ask if he had actually gotten permission from the teacher first, she may have been briefly distracted by a certain pair of green eyes. What started as a seat-switching attempt turned into a friendship that lasted two years before Lucas asked Nadia to be his homecoming date.

Homecoming 2016!

Lucas's High School Graduation!

Lucas and Nadia celebrated their one-year anniversary with a day trip to San Francisco. While Lucas had begun his studies at Sonoma State University, he made it a point to visit Nadia back home every few weeks, making the distance feel a little smaller each time.

Homecoming 2017!

Senior Prom 2018!

Nadia's High School Graduation!

In Fall 2018, Nadia began attending Cal Poly SLO. She started taking the Amtrak every 2-3 weeks to visit Lucas, turning train rides into a routine part of keeping their relationship close despite the distance.

First Family Trip to Mexico!

Right before the COVID-19 pandemic, Nadia and Lucas were still seeing each other every 2–3 weeks throughout college. The 300-mile distance between them just meant counting down the days until the next visit.

Once the pandemic began and classes moved online, their visits became longer + enter Pepper & Pitters!!!

Lucas's graduation from Sonoma State University!

Lucas proposed to Nadia around their 5-year anniversary. They knew a long engagement was ahead with graduate school on the horizon, but they were excited to take the next step together

Vegas trip for Nadia's Spring Break!

Nadia’s graduation from Cal Poly marked the end of their long-distance chapter.

Another family trip to Mexico!

Lucas was finishing his gap year and preparing to start law school in San Francisco, while Nadia moved back home to take a gap year before grad school.

Lucas and Nadia continued their weekend adventures, both living at their respective parents’ houses just 3.5 miles apart.

New Year's 2023 in Sweden on a family trip!

Law School Prom Year 1!