We met as college students at Syracuse University. Max was my next door neighbor, who stumbled onto the porch of my university neighborhood home one late August evening. We were fast friends. We started dating the following June, when we were both interns in the New York City area. Max will sometimes tease me about a time when we were hanging out, before we started dating, when I 'friend-zoned' him by saying that we were going to be best friends. I like to tease him and tell him that I was right. He is my best friend.

I proposed to Mackenzie on a beautiful December evening in her parents' backyard in Elk Grove, not far from the exact spot we'll be getting married. Though I had successfully convinced her there would be no proposal on that trip home, she still said yes and we got to celebrate that night with our families. I'm so excited to enter this next chapter of life with the woman I love and to share the day with our family and close friends.