Hattie and Femi first met in Binghamton, NY during Femi’s first year of pharmacy school. It was 2017, and Femi had just moved from Buffalo, NY after earning a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. The move was challenging, as pharmacy school coincided with what would have been a traditional senior year of college. During this time, Dr. Tracy Brooks, a passionate pharmacology professor, inspired Femi to pursue research through her dedication to teaching and learning.

Eager to grow academically, Femi joined Dr. Brooks’ cancer research lab despite having no prior experience. Initially overwhelmed, Femi found guidance in the lab’s supportive environment, including friendships with fellow pharmacy students. One key figure in the lab was Hattie, the smart, witty, and funny lab technician. Though their interactions were brief, Hattie left a lasting impression on Femi. Her warmth and curiosity made every shared moment memorable. However, Hattie soon left for Buffalo to attend pharmacy school, leaving Femi with only fond memories.

Fast forward to 2020: the world was thrust into uncertainty as the COVID-19 pandemic changed daily life. Both Binghamton and Buffalo transitioned to remote learning, prompting many students to return to their hometowns. Hattie’s Facebook post about Buffalo’s switch to online classes caught Femi’s attention. On March 11, 2020, Femi took a leap and messaged her: “Hey, I saw Buffalo switched to online too” Hattie’s enthusiastic response revealed she was returning to Binghamton, and their conversations flowed effortlessly from there.

What began as a simple message became the start of something extraordinary. By some stroke of serendipity, they were in the same city again. Over the months, their bond deepened, growing into a relationship full of laughter, love, and shared dreams. Nearly five years later, their journey together will culminate in marriage on June 27, 2025.

Femi and Hattie often marvel at how the universe brought them back together. While the pandemic changed the course of many lives, it also brought them the greatest gift of all: each other. They couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this next chapter with all of you.