Our story began as a match made in the circus. In 2018, he started as a design intern at Cirque du Soleil, ready to make a name for himself in Vegas creative advertising and entertainment. And she, well, had blue hair at the time.

We connected in the office over a punny sense of humor, sharing candy and controversial opinions on everything from pop culture to potato preparations (him: baked; her: pierogi-ed). As our friendship grew in and out of the office, the time came where we had a pump-the-brakes, define-the-relationship moment that we fondly look back on as The Airing of the Feelings: an arrangement to meet at brunch spot, Neighbors (RIP) to reveal where we stand. He ordered a light avocado toast to pick at whilst bearing his heart, and she ordered a comically large breakfast skillet, as heavy as the feelings being aired.

It took some time for us to balance our work and relationship dynamics, with frequent “are we doing this?!” chats in the safety of our parked cars after work — but love quickly blossomed on coffee shop patios, at game nights, in movie theaters, and in diner booths. When we were laid off from Cirque in 2020, we finally went public with our relationship to former colleagues, and delighted in their surprise and I-knew-it’s as a bright moment during an incredibly uncertain time.

Over the last five years, from the highs of road trips and anniversary dates to the lows of job changes and health struggles, we’ve built a foundation of trust, communication, laughter and compassion that brought our futures closer and closer in alignment. In June of 2023 on the island of Boracay, in our hotel room during the unrelenting fringe rain of super typhoon Mawar, Andre asked Chelsea to marry him. And she said “Of course I will, don’t cry!”