Although our paths crossed multiple times during our first few years at UW-Madison (we think Daryn denied Grace at the door a at frat party and let her into the Whiskey's bar), our first real conversation was when Daryn joined the UW Cheer Team in 2018.

Grace, being on the Dance Team, did not like the idea of dating another Spirit Squad member. However, after a fateful game of beer pong (where Grace charmed Daryn by making fun of the opposing team) and a conversation at the Nitty bar (where Daryn charmed Grace by supporting her decision to dye her hair purple), we started dating in May of 2019.

After one and half years of dating, Daryn decided to enlist in the Air Force and become a SERE Specialist. In the midst of deciding whether to date long distance, we took a road trip to Iowa City to move Grace's sister into her college dorm. Despite Grace's instinct to follow Google maps and stick to the plan, we decided to drive along the country roads and enjoy the ride. Completely by accident, we ended up in the charming town of Galena, Illinois - and had a perfect day.

Later, when Grace was anxious about the fate of our long-distance relationship, Daryn reminded Grace of their day in Galena. Although we didn't know where future roads would take us, Daryn said to Grace, "if we just have faith in each other, we will end up in Galena." After that, we decided to try out long distance, periodically reminding each other that we would be together eventually - that we would end up in Galena.

Almost five years later (after two months of letter writing during BASIC training, a year of SERE training, three years of law school, almost four years of long distance across the country, countless facetimes, and many visits to each other), Grace and Daryn are finally going to Galena, to get married.

In October of 2023, Daryn proposed to Grace back where it all began - UW-Madison. After a successful Badger win during the Homecoming Game, Daryn and Grace went onto the Camp Randall field as Spirit Squad alumni to participate in Fifth Quarter. After a polka, much to Grace's surprise, Daryn proposed on the field. Grace, of course, said yes.

Livvy - the maid of honor - performed invaluable duties by helping choose the ring. Jackson - the best man - helped execute the proposal perfectly by hiding the ring the entire game and keeping Daryn focused on gameday.