Melissa & Wim in Watchung, NJ

Melissa traveled throughout Europe during a college semester abroad but never made it to Belgium, the country where Wim was born and raised. Instead, Melissa met Wim through a mutual friend in her home state of New Jersey. Wim was only in town for the weekend, but “we started talking and basically never stopped,” he says. The Bride Melissa Lariviere, 28, teacher The Groom Wim Vanraes, 26, technician and supervisor The Date July 22 After getting to know each other through lots of letter writing, Melissa and Wim met again in Scotland, and then in Belgium, and by that time, the two knew they were meant to be. After a year of dating, Melissa was suspicious (and hopeful!) that Wim would propose during a Thanksgiving visit. The two made their way into New York City and found themselves at the South Street Seaport -- the first place they’d ever been alone together. Wim handed Melissa a card that read, “Will you marry me,” and dropped to one knee, and Melissa responded with a resounding, “Yes!”