Our Story...

Our meeting was the result of another wedding. Dennis and our matchmaker (LeVar Alipio) were both groomsmen for their friend Ronaldo’s wedding in Virginia. LV knew Rhea from her hometown of Jacksonville, FL. The guys wanted to go out, so LV called Rhea to show them around. Dennis and Rhea hit it off as friends, and slowly grew closer. After frequent visits to the east coast, he decided to move to DC so their relationship could progress to the next level. Several months later, they bought their first home and became engaged.

First impression: “She was a cute, little dancing machine and very friendly. I thought to myself, ‘I could see myself dating this girl,’ ” Dennis says. Rhea says, “He smiles a lot which speaks volumes on how sweet he is. On the 2nd night we went out, he stood up for me-he is a real gentleman.”

Silliest fight: “Anything wedding-related,” Dennis says. When they were still dating long distance, Rhea remembers how worried she was when she hadn’t heard from him after a night of partying: “We talked to each other every morning and night like clockwork. I called/texted him a few times but no response. This was very unlike him. I knew he had gone out the night before, so I only thought the worst. He finally called and had been on a lake with his friends and didn’t bring his phone. Needless to say, we promised to text each other when we got home from a late night out.”

Most romantic gesture: “He put rose petals and a sticky note on top of my sun visor in the car. When I pulled it down, I was so shocked by the falling rose petals. He surprises me all the time with small gestures,” Rhea says. “He makes me feel loved and treats me like a princess!”

One thing others would be surprised to know about Dennis: “He’s a mama’s boy,” Rhea says. “He and his mom have a strong relationship. He thinks about her often and talks to her on a weekly basis.”

One thing others would be surprised to know about Rhea: Dennis says: “She is terrified of roller coasters and scary movies. She mutes the tv during scary scenes.”

Favorite date spot: Mike’s Crab House in Annapolis, MD

Sweetest nickname: Rhea is “Honey” or “Bumblebee.” Dennis is “Whipper [whippersnapper].”

When they knew they were meant to be: The day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. “It was our first trip together when we just started dating. We were happy and nervous at the same time,” he says. “As soon as we held hands, I knew we had something special. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I had the biggest smile on my face.”

On her 24th birthday, it hit her. Rhea recalls: “He had bought me a lot of expensive gifts since it was the first time we celebrated my birthday together. I was really concerned about how much my birthday had cost him, so I made him return one of the presents. That’s when I knew- I never turn down a luxury gift! I had fallen in love with him.”