It was March 23rd, 2017. Mason’s best friend (and bridesmaid) Maddy’s 21st birthday. At midnight Mason and some friends were celebrating being able to go to some Ames bars together. (FINALLY) and in the middle of Mason tearing up the dance floor- Tony saw her. Tony saw a couple of friends of his in the group (including Maddy) and came to say hello. As the group was leaving to head to AJ’s before bar close- Mason and Tony met and instantly hit it off. Shortly the next night- Mason and Tony decided to meet up again. And the rest is history.

Mason and Tony spent the next year tailgating, getting to know each other, and growing in connection.

In April of 2018, Tony lavaliered Mason from his fraternity. A Lavaliered is a promise before marriage. Mason was over the moon excited.

For the next two years- Mason and Tony did long distance. While the going got extremely tough, Mason and Tony made it through to the other side in June of 2020 after Tony’s graduation! (YIPPEE!)

For the next several months after settling in together and learning to navigate the new world of living together (and COVID) Mason and Tony took a next step and got little Neji girl. It was love at first site and also a huge step in their relationship. Neji is a character from an anime Tony introduced Mason to in 2020. It became a nightly date for them. Neji in Japanese also means screw and she was our little missing screw.

On December of 2021, Tony finally made the next step in forever. Mason could not think of a better gift and life partner.

And on September 27th, 2022 Mason and Tony made a secret declaration of their love. Something to share and hold for each other. They made an escape to British Columbia for a helicopter ride to the top of Whistler, BC Canada to shout their declaration of love from the mountaintops. (And because they love the mountains so much). The best is yet to come!