At IU, we are assigned to TA the same class—Folklore 101. This office is where we first became friends and got to know one another!

We officially started dating by Halloween a few months later. Here we are with our quickly improvised costume as "Adam & Steve."

Our first vacation together, down to Orlando, FL to visit Jesse's best friend, Sara!

Jesse conducts fieldwork in Ireland 2018–19, where Ben came to visit him toward the end. Our first of three trips to Ireland (so far) as a couple!

Jesse visits Ben in NC for the first time, spending our first Christmas together.

Officially in COVID lockdown! Jesse breaks out the sewing machine and teaches Ben how to make masks for housemates and friends.

Ben's first trip to Alaska, and the start of our daily tradition of FaceTiming (with Lexi, of course!).

Jesse visits Ben in Alaska, coincidentally during one of Juneau's warmest and sunniest weeks.

Our trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland, where we got engaged!

Jesse defends his PhD dissertation, and Ben flies in from Alaska to surprise him!

We finally take our engagement pics, and get excited to start planning the next big step: our wedding!