A couple born with neuroatypical conditions never imagined that they would be able to meet people who would accept them for who they are, much less meet the loves of their lives, and end up falling in love. Six-instrument-playing pasta-lover Riley Emlen has Asperger syndrome, and Charlotte “Charlie” Fien has Down syndrome and Autism.
The couple has been married since July 30, 2022, and will soon commemorate their first anniversary in July this year. How the couple met is an unconventional love story that neither saw coming. After seeing Fien in a video, Emlen immediately knew she was the one for him.
A screenshot of Riley Emlen and Charlotte Fien talking about their love story in an interview posted on YouTube on June 1, 2023 | Source: YouTube.com/Special Books by Special Kids
He could not forget about the beautiful girl who he knew would become his wife one day. Thus, after flying halfway across the world (Fien was based in England at the time) to meet her, Emlen wasted no time getting down on bended knee and proposing to the love of his life.
The adorable couple have been inseparable ever since and plan to welcome children in the near future. However, what they did not anticipate was facing unwarranted opposition from the public about their desire to start a family.
A screenshot of Riley Emlen and Charlotte Fien talking about what it’s like to be married to each other posted on YouTube on June 1, 2023 | Source: YouTube.com/Special Books by Special Kids
Charlotte Fien and Riley Emlen’s Love Story: How a Match Made in Heaven Came to Be
In an interview about their life together, Emlen recounts the story of how he first came to know of his future wife. While scrolling through his Facebook feed, the blue-eyed man came across a video on a page called BrightVibes. The footage showed a lovely girl giving an empowering speech, and Emlen was instantly captured by her beauty.
Fien’s speech discussed upholding rights for people with disabilities, and taking cognizance of the video’s important message, Emlen decided to share the post to his own feed. Though he discloses not engaging in any communication with Fien until six months after he had reposted the video…CONTINUE READING