Anschutz library had been our home but too many hours had taken its toll and its appeal wasn’t there that day. Needing to study for the difficult tests of the last few years of university, we both agreed to meet friends. It was nearing the second half of our junior year when November 5th was changed forever. It was no longer remembered as a day of studying but as the day our eyes met and our paths crossed.

We walked into room 3035 of the business school and exchanged a smile and a warm welcome. As it turned out, we were in the same class and even had similar majors, microbiology and molecular biology.

Our relationship began to blossom from that first smile we shared. We both found interest in the little details of one another and each detail built upon the other. Our interests grew and we found ourselves out on a date at Lawrence Free State Brewery, which led to another date, and another and another. We went to dinners and shared food, we went to Christmas themed pop up bars and wore our ugly sweaters, we cooked for each other at home and made late night runs for ice cream. Over the years we even started traditions of our own. Notably, we made it a tradition to cherish where we met by getting food to-go on November 5th and bringing it back to room 3035 accompanied by our favorite picture of us from the previous year. Each year we have learned together and each year we have grown together.

Today we continue to bond even as we have graduated from KU. We are thankful for every opportunity together and truly live each moment to enrich each other. The best part is it only takes a second to bring up a thought of us and all our love rushes back. We get to wear that smile we shared all those years ago, that beautiful smile.

We are so blessed to be able to spend our upcoming wedding day with our family and friends and we could not be more thankful for the love and support we have received.