All About Us
Here are a few fun facts that I have complied since we met
- Name: Charles Minh Hoang
- AKA: Chuck, Char, Charcoal, Chubs
- Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
- Weaknesses: Snores, messy eater
- Name: Alexis Nichol Nguyen
- AKA: Lexi, Passenger/Pillow Princess
- Hometown: Portland, OR
- Weaknesses: Always shleepy, 5'2"
Miles between us from your apartment in LA to my house in Portland.
Days that we have gotten to physically spend time together.
Anniversary letters sent plus all the extras and little gifts that were received (and lost) through the mail.
Total trips so far to see each other. Can't wait for the ones to come!
Our Timeline
Let's take a walk down memory lane and look at all that we accomplished together this year
The LA meet cute
March 2023
Los Angeles
A special thank you to Angela for setting us up. It was such a memorable LA trip for me and it ended with me meeting the love of my life! Notable moments include:
- That CRAZY first night we met
- The two of us and Ben and Angela getting pho and also touring USC
- Our amazing first date in Santa Monica and that life-changing airport sendoff
Things become official
April 2, 2023
Even though we couldn't be in-person for this special moment, it is still one of the greatest moments in our relationship. So cute that you didn't want to make it official on April Fool's Day so you waited until April 2nd.
Charles comes to the PNW for the first time
June 2023
Portland | Seattle | The Gorge | Oregon Coast
This was our first time meeting in-person as boyfriend and girlfriend! Glad to have been able to show you my life from family to friends to my hometown altogether. What we did those two weeks:
- My brother's pharmacy graduation at OSU and his grad party
- You got to tour University of Portland and meet my friends
- Met up with Ben and Angela in Seattle
- Beyond Wonderland was our first rave, too bad it ended early...
- ... but we had a sweet Seattle day that was even better (our first I love you's!)
- Rounded out the PNW tour with the Oregon coast, we gotta go back to Elk Flats
LA 2.0
August 2023
Los Angeles
Best way to start off the new school year (your last at USC too). Such a different experience compared to the first time I went to LA, but this was unique in that I got a better glimpse at YOUR life.
- All the food that we ate was to die for
- Got to meet your roommates and see your new place (Tripalink will be missed)
- Had my day in the life of a USC student moment
- We both got to cross off Griffith Observatory from our bucket lists
Alexis' 21st Birthday in Seattle
September 2023
Seattle | Portland
That short, little over 24 hour trip to Seattle for my birthday was absolutely incredible given the amount of time we had. I want to thank you for going out of your way to fly up here, and I want you to know I appreciate all my time with you from our Whiskey Barrel-Aged Cold Brew to the Space needle and the Chihuly garden to the super duper fancy birthday dinner.
Staycation in Portland
November 2023
Portland
Brownies, pillow forts, pasta, and other at-home fall activities made this the cutest experience yet. It gave me a glimpse of how life could be if we were no longer long distance. Felt like I was high on cloud 9 (literally).
The return to LA
December 2023
Los Angeles | Mammoth Mountain
So much happened during this trip, where do I even begin... I couldn't have asked for a better way to end my, already so memorable, 2023. It was so great we even had allergic reactions on the last day.
- The Getty, Malibu, and our road trip along the pacific coast highway was something out of a movie
- I learned to ice skate thanks to my amazing and handsome teacher
- John Summit at BMO was iconic
- To add on to the learning winter sports theme, I learned to snowboard at Mammoth and ate shit (still mad at you for making me go on a blue TWICE during the snow storm)
Charles' 22nd Birthday in Chicago
March 2024
Chicago
Your birthday x St. Patrick's day in Chicago will go down in our books for sure. So glad to get to explore one of my all time favorite cities with my all time favorite person. Bonus points for the green river and it being a crazy weekend in the city.
- Got to see Trivoli, London House, Feds, and so many more amazing places
- Exploring all of Chicago and all the photos was too good to be true
- The weekend bender with my siblings took you out LOL
- I guess you got lucky in Chicago...
Highlights
My favorite things about you and us, all in one spot
Smile!
Let loose and show that childish grin more Charles. Your smile is my favorite physical attribute of yours, especially in combination with your big brown eyes.
Back, Bi, and Booty
Do I even have to explain? You got a nice back, nice arms, and a nice ass boy. My very own Hercules! Though you're always gonna be chubs to me.
Romantic King
It amazes me how sweet, thoughtful, and mature you are in this relationship. You really do make me feel like a princess living out her fairytale dream.
Little Nerd
From having a funny fashion sense, silly actions and comments, to even being a biochem nerd. I oddly find your dorkiness to be the most adorable thing ever.
Griffith Observatory
8.22.23
Watching sunset here and also watching the twinkling lights of downtown LA and all the airplanes flying in and out of LAX at night. Not to mention that cute picnic we had with all those bees.
The Grove at Christmas
12.14.23
Great pizza. Great hot cocoa. Great vibes. The Grove during Christmas time was definitely something I am glad I got to experience for the first time with you. I may or may not look back on those photos we took there quite a bit.
Our Pillow Fort
11.11.23
Eating brownies and other snacks while watching Megamind under that pillow fort (amongst other things that I will omit) was the ultimate fall date experience. Did Baby Yoda traumatize you, or did you traumatize Baby Yoda? Let's be real.
Scootering Around Portland
6.14.23
Even though I was freezing cold and refused to go fast, it was so fun to explore downtown Portland at night on those scooters. You got to see the waterfront, Tilikum Bridge, and the entire Portland skyline, and we got to take fun pictures too.
Airbnb in Seattle no. 1
6.18.23
it started off with the best nap ever (that ended with you poking my ear because you thought it was the alarm) to us saying "I love you" for the first time by the end of the night. Let's not forget the bomb poke we had, Gasworks, Eld Inlet oysters, Umi Sake House with the John Wick waitress, and cooking together in that tiny kitchen to end the night.
Airbnb in Seattle no. 2
9.16.23
That couch. No explanation needed.
LH Bar in Chicago
3.14.24
I don't think I will ever forget that view and being with you high above the windy city. Most definitely worth freezing my butt off on that rooftop. Plus, those drinks were pretty good. However, as beautiful as the Chicago skyline may be at night, I'd rather stare at you.
Gallery
Our best flicks
- All
- Charles
- Alexis
- Us
Summary
A few words to wrap it all up
MY DEAREST CHARLES,
I hope you enjoyed exploring this website as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Thank you for an amazing year. It has been the best one yet. I cannot wait for what's in store for us in the upcoming years. I know our lives will only get harder with our paths going in a sorts of directions. However, I know that we will overcome whatever obstacles life throws our way because we have already conquered long distance. Even with 2024 being probably our hardest year career-wise, I am glad that we have one another to cheer us on, and even if it takes a while, I really look forward to that day when all of this becomes worth it and we can finally be with each other. Happy one year anniversary babe!