Gretchen and Ian first met at Accepted Students Day at Susquehanna University in Spring of 2014. During an introductory circle, Gretchen gave her fun fact that she had been given over 4,000 needle shots in her life. She then apologized for being so awkward, waving her hands wildly.

Ian was immediately enthralled.

The two were placed in several English classes together, both driven by their love for literature and creativity. It was during one such class where a discussion was led by tossing a rolled up blanket back and forth between participants. Gretchen responded to the prompt and noticed Ian with his hand up, who wished to respond to what she had said. Gretchen tossed the ball, and Ian - still enthralled with her - watched as the ball hurtled through the air and into his smiling face.

Gretchen profusely apologized, the class laughed, and Ian brushed it off with a grin. But it was here when Ian saw his chance, and took it - sending Gretchen a text later that day which simply stated, "You bonked me pretty good with that blanket ball, huh?"

He was in her DMs. He had won.

The two became fast friends, developing a strong social circle with friends like Greg, Adam, Jack, Jenn, Riley, Elliott, and Kris. These friends quickly took notice of how Ian and Gretchen would look at one another, always blushing and laughing in each other's presence, finding any and all excuses to spend time together. The two were down bad, and everyone could tell.

Then Gretchen traveled abroad to Scotland for her Fall 2016 semester. The two missed each other fiercely, but remained in contact via daily texts and video calls. Their friends - no doubt sick of Gretchen and Ian taking forever to admit their mutual feelings - enacted a plan to finally get them together.

The plan worked. On Saturday, November 5th, Gretchen and Ian spoke over a Skype call (RIP). The two went into the call nervous, both prepared to confess their feelings. But as they smiled and laughed with one another as always, that nervousness faded - they understood that the other was their best friend, the one they wished to spend each coming day beside. They confessed.

Only one problem: they were still 4,000 miles apart for one more month. The two eagerly awaited their in-person reunion on December 26th, 2016, where the above picture was snapped, their first as a couple.

Gretchen and Ian dated through their graduation of college in 2018, and remained long distance as they both began their careers in education. The two moved in together in the summer of 2021, living in Goshen, New York.

In the spring of 2023, Gretchen and Ian vacationed in Virginia Beach, both secretly fiddling with the ring boxes in their pockets, awaiting the perfect moment to propose. They found the perfect spot by the lakeside in Norfolk Botanical Garden, and simultaneously popped the question.