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Chelsea & Arkaitz

October 18, 2025 • Norfolk, VA

Chelsea & Arkaitz

October 18, 2025 • Norfolk, VA

Our Story

Our Love Story

Picture of Our Love Story

Our story began in the most modern way possible — a Bumble match in the spring of 2023 (we know, very 21st century of us, lol). The chemistry was instant, and somehow even stronger in person. From our very first date, we both sensed that this was something different — something special. What was supposed to be a quick visit to the Virginia Living Museum effortlessly turned into drinks at Oozlefinch Brewery, which then turned into dinner in Downtown Hampton. We just didn’t want the night to end.

What started as late-night phone calls about everything under the sun quickly evolved into long drives across the HRBT to see each other… and before we knew it, we were moving into our first apartment, adopting two slightly naughty (but definitely adorable) cats, and building a life we used to only dream about.

Below are some of our favorite moments from the past two years — snapshots of a journey that’s been full of laughter, love, and the occasional feline-induced chaos. Enjoy!

Quick photo of the two of us at Chelsea's apartment before heading to an engagement party for two of our friends (shout out Raul and Carol)!

July 23, 2023

Quick photo of the two of us at Chelsea's apartment before heading to an engagement party for two of our friends (shout out Raul and Carol)!
Visiting for a tour at J-Lab!

July 29, 2023

Visiting for a tour at J-Lab!
Enjoying ever delicious Aperol spritzes prepared by our friend, Anja!

July 31, 2023

Enjoying ever delicious Aperol spritzes prepared by our friend, Anja!
Quick kiss during Arkaitz's first Howloscream experience at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

September 16, 2023

Quick kiss during Arkaitz's first Howloscream experience at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Visiting the White House.

October 09, 2023

Visiting the White House.
Enjoying the Halloween decorations while out for a walk exploring Old Town Alexandria.

November 03, 2023

Enjoying the Halloween decorations while out for a walk exploring Old Town Alexandria.
Exploring the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

November 05, 2023

Exploring the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
Chelsea's first trip to Spain, visiting the Parque del Retiro in Madrid.

December 13, 2023

Chelsea's first trip to Spain, visiting the Parque del Retiro in Madrid.
Exploring Madrid by night and enjoying all of the Christmas decorations!

December 14, 2023

Exploring Madrid by night and enjoying all of the Christmas decorations!
Visiting the Palacio de Cristal.

December 15, 2023

Visiting the Palacio de Cristal.
Chelsea's first time visiting Gaztelugatxe (cute orange stray cat that Chelsea pet along the way not pictured lol).

December 16, 2023

Chelsea's first time visiting Gaztelugatxe (cute orange stray cat that Chelsea pet along the way not pictured lol).
Chelsea's first visit to Artxanda, admiring the aerial view of Bilbao.

December 17, 2023

Chelsea's first visit to Artxanda, admiring the aerial view of Bilbao.
Sharing a kiss during Chelsea's first trip to Andorra!

December 27, 2023

Sharing a kiss during Chelsea's first trip to Andorra!
Enjoying a gorgeous sunny day at Virginia Beach oceanfront — photo credits to our friend, Emily.

March 03, 2024

Enjoying a gorgeous sunny day at Virginia Beach oceanfront — photo credits to our friend, Emily.
Personality pic of us at our friend's Chelsey and Florian's house celebrating their wedding that was approaching at the time — with perhaps a bit of unintentional foreshadowing for us with the Ringpop! ;)

May 26, 2024

Personality pic of us at our friend's Chelsey and Florian's house celebrating their wedding that was approaching at the time — with perhaps a bit of unintentional foreshadowing for us with the Ringpop! ;)
Arkaitz's first time at Norfolk's Harbor Fest!

June 09, 2024

Arkaitz's first time at Norfolk's Harbor Fest!
Enjoying some time together at our favorite fishing spot, taking in the sun.

June 17, 2024

Enjoying some time together at our favorite fishing spot, taking in the sun.
This was both of our first times on the Virginia Beach Pier despite the fact that Chelsea grew up in Virginia Beach. We absolutely had to capture this gorgeous sunset — photo credit to our friend, Alessandro!

August 26, 2024

This was both of our first times on the Virginia Beach Pier despite the fact that Chelsea grew up in Virginia Beach. We absolutely had to capture this gorgeous sunset — photo credit to our friend, Alessandro!
Stop one of the several mountains hiked during Chelsea's 30th birthday trip that we went on to West Virginia.

October 12, 2024

Stop one of the several mountains hiked during Chelsea's 30th birthday trip that we went on to West Virginia.
Zip-lining at New River Gorge National Park!

October 13, 2024

Zip-lining at New River Gorge National Park!
Visiting our beautiful niece, Paisely Grace, the day after she was born (not pictured — Chelsea's waterfall of tears).

October 27, 2024

Visiting our beautiful niece, Paisely Grace, the day after she was born (not pictured — Chelsea's waterfall of tears).
Post Thanksgiving dinner glow at Chelsea's Nanny and Pop's house.

November 28, 2024

Post Thanksgiving dinner glow at Chelsea's Nanny and Pop's house.
Visiting the Palacio Real in Madrid, Spain.

December 09, 2024

Visiting the Palacio Real in Madrid, Spain.
Moments after we got engaged in Madrid in front of the Temple of Debod, all smiles!

December 11, 2024

Moments after we got engaged in Madrid in front of the Temple of Debod, all smiles!
Chelsea's first visit to Castro-Urdiales in Cantabria, Spain.

December 14, 2024

Chelsea's first visit to Castro-Urdiales in Cantabria, Spain.
Chelsea's first visit to Santillana del Mar where we ate one of the most unexpectedly delicious meals we have ever had!

December 19, 2024

Chelsea's first visit to Santillana del Mar where we ate one of the most unexpectedly delicious meals we have ever had!
Celebrating the new year together with Chelsea's family.

December 31, 2024

Celebrating the new year together with Chelsea's family.
Enjoying our first big snow together by going on a long walk in our neighborhood.

February 23, 2025

Enjoying our first big snow together by going on a long walk in our neighborhood.
One of our favorite photos from our engagement photo session in the neighborhood where we moved into our first apartment together.

April 18, 2025

One of our favorite photos from our engagement photo session in the neighborhood where we moved into our first apartment together.