Fall 2020–It’s their sophomore year of college in the wake of online schooling on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Abbi and Evan are assigned as lab group partners in Microbiology. They already knew of each other from previous encounters at their liberal arts college of less than 1500 students, and it was only a matter of time before they would inevitably be in classes together. Evan was playing the waiting game, and it worked: In BIO-204, their relationship started over texting about assignments and meeting on Zoom to talk about lab projects. But it didn’t end there. When classes were finally back in person, Abbi found herself waiting after class for Evan, and he coincidentally started walking her to classes. As they talked more, the occasional walks became everyday occurrences, and they began to realize how much they enjoyed spending time together. They went on a few dates before school ended, which only solidified their feelings for one another. Evan returned to California for the summer, and Abbi moved across the country to Colorado, but despite the distance, they got closer and closer to each other. Since they had mastered online communication as lab partners, they braced long-distance for three months, and shortly after their junior year started, Evan asked Abbi to be his girlfriend. Now being 16 hours away from her family, Abbi found a semblance of home and family in Evan. With two difficult years of college left, they found support, encouragement, and spiritual stability in each other. Although they were both away from their families, they formed a relationship that deepened as the years went on. Thanksgiving breaks turned into road trips together to a friend’s house for fellowship and feasting, Christmas breaks now meant flying together to meet the families, and summer breaks became a countdown to trips where long-distance dating wouldn’t exist for a week. After fostering a relationship built on hospitality, love, sacrifice, and devotion to God, they realized that they wanted this little community to last long past college. So, on April 7, 2023, on the top of the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier, Evan asked Abbi to marry him. Filled with excitement, joy, and love, Abbi said “Yes!” Now, they cannot wait to establish their union with each other in Christ through marriage. They would not have gotten here without the advice and support of family and friends, which is why they would be honored to have you witness this special day!