Our story began at the University of Iowa in Russian language class. A class experience like none other at the university, we bonded over our struggles to understand the language and hoped to help each other succeed in the class. As we got to know each other better, we found we had far more in common than we could have imagined. We swam at the rec center together, studied together, enjoyed the outdoors together.

Before we knew it, we found these study buddies couldn't imagine life without each other. Amazingly, we were able to study abroad in the same city as each other. Dear Florence, Italy now holds such a special place in our hearts: a beautiful city where we grew so much together as people and as a couple.

Fast forward to today, and we are so excited to see where we will go next on this journey they call life!