If distance makes the heart grow fonder, then it is no surprise we ended up engaged. It started with Ethan being born in Korea, adopted and moved across the world to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Annie was born and raised in North Carolina. Through chance, we both ended up at Georgia Tech. We were friends throughout our freshman year, but we got much closer right before summer and might even have been close to dating.

Fate and distance, of course, had other plans. Ethan studied abroad in France, while Annie stayed in Atlanta. We started emailing and did our best to stay in touch. Back on campus in the fall, Ethan's fraternity had an upcoming date night and he asked Annie (at the last minute, much to her dismay). She said yes, and the dating began.

Over the past 7 years, we will have spent almost 5 years of it apart. After 4 months of dating, Annie traveled abroad to New Zealand for the spring semester. Next came graduation at the 2.5-year mark. Ethan moved back to Iowa to get his masters. Annie stayed in Atlanta to work. We both applied to medical school, and each only accepted into one school. Ethan stayed in Iowa City. Annie moved to New Orleans.

Christmas 2016, Annie visited Ethan for the holidays in an attempt to minimize the distractions for his biggest board exam of medical school. Under the guise of needing a day to study, Ethan's sister took Annie out shopping for an afternoon. When Annie returned to Ethan's apartment, she opened the door to the surprise of her life. The apartment was decorated with pictures from all of our time dating and Christmas lights everywhere. Ethan had recorded a piano piece he had written for our first official date and had it playing in the background. He dropped to one knee, and proposed! She of course said yes.

We have spent more time Facetiming than face –to-face. We have spent countless airplane rides to see each other on what limited breaks school gives us. However, that is all coming to an end. June 2, 2018, we not only get to say I do, but we get to say yes to spending our lives together (in the same location!!) forever!

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