Angelica and Christian went out for the first time to a bar called Lowboy on Sunset Blvd in Echo Park. After a few drinks they were going to walk around Angelica’s neighborhood, but it was chilly so they went back to her house, did a puzzle, and talked long into the night. Initially, they had planned on only seeing each other once while Christian was out West, but they immediately made plans to see each other again the night before he caught a flight back to Virginia. That night, they drove out to Malibu and sat on some steps leading down to the beach. While they watched the waves, they discussed cults, their favorite bands, and why orange wine is overrated. If Christian didn’t have to be at LAX the next morning, they likely would’ve stayed until sunrise.

The two said their goodbyes with heavy hearts, but agreed they would like to see each other again some day. Christian flew back East intent on playing it cool and not bothering Angelica too much even though he missed her terribly. After all, they lived on opposite sides of the country. How could anything possibly happen? Luckily, Angelica quickly let him know that she was very sad that he was gone and the two started talking on the phone every day. Neither one knew what the conversations were leading to, only that the phone calls instantly became the highlight of their days. 

After a few weeks of nonstop texts and calls, Christian invited Angelica out to visit him for a week right after Christmas while he was still off from school. He figured that was enough time that they might get sick of each other, figure out it wasn’t the right fit, and call the whole thing off. However, the opposite happened. During the days, Christian took Angelica to Richmond’s art museum, historic cemetery and a locally renowned taxidermy shop. Ideal romantic locations. In the evenings, Angelica showed Christian various cult movies from the early 2000s. The week flew by and by the end of it, the pair decided to give a long distance relationship a shot. 

As difficult as it was to be apart, the couple had fun being creative in how to spend time together and show affection for one another. Besides the daily phone calls, they would send each other letters, pressed flowers, and books. Christian would record himself reading short stories he thought Angelica would enjoy and they would regularly have virtual movie nights. As great as all this was, it was nothing compared to their regular trips to see one another. They quickly got very good at finding the best deals for cross country flights, but the end of each visit got harder and harder. 

The summer of 2024 was legendary. As soon as the school year ended, Christian drove out to LA. The adventures were nonstop; day trips to the beach and nights out at Dodger games and pinball bars. Long meals and late nights with Angelica’s family were another highlight and Christian was happy to know they loved good food and offbeat humor as much as he did.. After LA, the pair drove up to Oregon to meet up with Christian’s family followed by a three day drive across the US to Richmond. Normally, 18 hour days of driving, a hellish motel in Lenexa, Kansas, and Taco Bell in a backwoods West Virginia parking lot might put a strain on a couple, but Christian and Angelica found themselves loving each other more with every mile they travelled. Their time that summer made it abundantly clear that they belonged together on the same coast.

In the end, Angelica would move to Richmond to be with Christian. Coordinating and executing a cross country move is no small feat, but Christian and Angelica tackled it together as a team. Mike and Yvonne helped every step of the way, even though it meant their daughter was moving away to the other side of the country. Yvonne, Angelica and the dogs spent six days driving to Virginia together. All Christian had to do was fly back with the cat.

Merging two lives can be risky business. By its very nature it requires compromise and upheaval. Virtually every daily routine is altered, if not torn down completely. Like everything else, Christian and Angelica found immense joy in this part of their journey together. After all, what’s better than building a new life with your true love? As they combined their collections of plants, music, and dead animals, established new dog care routines, and cooked for each other, Angelica and Christian reveled in the fact that they finally got to be with each other. The simple pleasures of watching tv together every night and waking up next to each other every day would never be taken for granted after living 3000 miles apart for so long. 

As the months passed by, the Perkins/Fata household found a steady rhythm rooted in a deepening bond. Mundane chores became opportunities to show love. Everyday problems became collaborative puzzles. Before the move, Angelica and Christian were somewhat certain that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. After the move, it became a necessity. Christian asked Mike for Angelica’s hand in marriage over burgers and beer one beautiful Spring day. It felt like a foregone conclusion for everyone involved, but some traditions are worth adhering to. With that key milestone behind him, Christian bided his time. 

You only get to propose to the love of your life once. Considering it from every possible angle can slip into overanalysis very easily. Do you propose on those steps on the beach in Malibu? Do you propose while visiting family in Europe over the summer? What about the classic fancy dinner date proposal? All solid options, but for one reason or another, they didn’t feel quite right. After days of weighing options and careful reflection, Christian landed on one of the places he first took Angelica to. A place he knew she’d find just as romantic as he did. The cemetery.

The detour to the taxidermy shop next to Hollywood Cemetery was not part of the original plan. For weeks, Christian had been talking about how the fluid in his preserved leech specimen needed to be topped off. Angelica was under the impression that they were just going for a leisurely afternoon walk through the cemetery and suggested they stop in to Rest In Pieces to get it taken care of. So with an engagement ring in one pocket and a dead leech in the other, Christian drove them across town. After the leech was taken care of, the couple hiked through the cemetery. Angelica noticed Christian acting a little off, but paid it little mind as they approached a particularly stunning overlook of the James River. The question was asked, and the ring ended up on Angelica’s finger. The couple spent the rest of the day calling their loved ones, drinking champagne, eating sushi, and watching anime. Both Christian and Angelica consider it one of the best days of their lives.