Jeremy and Sonya had their first date in 2021 - in what was typical of meeting new people during the pandemic, they met online at first. After texting back and forth, Jeremy eventually asked Sonya on a date; she picked the place, and he picked her up (after going to the wrong porch and knocking on a stranger’s door, which Sonya still brings up from time to time.) They hit it off and, after a few more dates, formally became a couple that December. Despite living over 2 hours apart (Sonya living in Harrisburg and Jeremy in Williamsport) they made it work, taking turns to drive to see one another every weekend.

The two developed their bond over a shared love of games, cats, and singing along in the car (in Jeremy’s case, often off-key) to whichever song Sonya happens to be in the mood for. Now, they spend their free time volunteering with stray cats in need of permanent homes, or building a virtual farm in Stardew Valley - another of Sonya’s favorites, and one she eventually wore Jeremy down into enjoying almost as much.

After over 2 years together, when they were seriously discussing marriage, Jeremy found the ring. Sonya might say she’d have been happy with any ring he found, but as someone with an appreciation for nature and a love for delicate and complex, he felt she deserved something that would look pulled straight from a storybook (or the Legend of Zelda, one of her favorite games.) He took her to Rickett’s Glen State Park and planned to find a quiet and secluded spot, preferably with a nice view of the falls, to ask for her hand. Those plans were squashed though, because instead of a carefully planned and thought out speech and proposal, Jeremy got more than a little nervous and asked in a… more casual way. Sonya, however, graciously accepted despite the proposal not being exactly what either of them expected, and here we are!