Sydney went to a wedding to celebrate some of her best friends from college while Phil was out with their good friends Chloe and Alex. Sydney and Phil had been texting for a little bit, mostly banter about this and that. Mostly testing the waters and getting to know each other. But this night, Phil called Sydney on her way home from the wedding to invite her out with him, Chloe, and Alex. They ended up staying out until 3am and had a great time together. This was the night Phil decided he was interested and was officially hooked on Sydney's charming personality ;)

After a few months of back and forth, will they won't they, Sydney decided to take a chance on Phil. This was not their first date (you should ask them about that one sometime), but this was the day Sydney took Phil on a surprise date to the Zoo Lights in Louisville. Although he was told by many people "he would love his surprise," he was not entirely enthused, but was a good sport (and has made sure to continue the tradition since). But Sydney made up for it and took him to a brewery afterwards and this would mark the longest amount of time they had spent together, just the two of them, thus far :)

The Kentucky Derby! This day was truly the start of something special. You see, Phil and Sydney had plans to go with some friends to the Derby and watch horses run around from the infield. Those friends ended up getting upgraded tickets (lucky ducks) and left Phil and Sydney to their own devices and each others company all day long. On the ride to Churchill Downs, Sydney kept thinking to herself, "what on Earth are we going to talk about? How am I going to last an entire day with this guy?" Well, if you know Sydney, you probably just laughed to yourself- the girl can talk to a brick wall. They had a great time together and although neither of them picked Rich Strike, they still came home winners. That night, Phil officially asked Sydney to be his girlfriend and the rest is history.

Right after school ended that year, Sydney left for about a month to go visit her families in Florida and Colorado. Great times shared, great memories made, and Phil left at home. As soon as she got home from her trip, Phil left for his family vacation to North Carolina for a week. There was just enough overlap between these trips for Phil to pass along a stomach bug he left Sydney with. All in the past now (just don't mention it to Sydney). They enjoyed the rest of their summer when both were back in Lexington and kicked off the next school year, which included Phil training for the Air Force Marathon in Dayton. Getting up before the sun was up, Phil was ready to crank out his 26.2 miles. Sydney watched him run off, then assumed her post at the finish line and anxiously awaited his arrival. Three hours later, she stands there, watching Phil cross the finish line and stop right in front of her. She is holding a sign for him to read, which he ignores and catches his breath, then tells her about the course. All the while, she is standing there holding a giant blue sign that the people around her have watched her hold for the last 25 mins (his tracker was wrong), and he still said nothing. Finally, Phil looked at the sign Sydney made him and immediately smiled and told her he loved her too.

Now that they are officially in love, Sydney and Phil celebrated the beginning of a new school year, both birthdays, and kicked off University of Kentucky football season. How did we know this was true love? Because Phil dressed up as the Magic School Bus to Sydney's Ms. Frizzle.

Their first Holiday season came and went. Phil put up with Sydney's 11 Christmas trees (that's only a slight exaggeration), and Sydney put up with never ending football and Phil's thermostat settings. A weekend getaway to Gatlinburg in March to celebrate the end of basketball season, then Spring Break finally rolled around! The two joined their good friends the Bowlins down in Daytona Beach for the week and enjoyed all the market price fish their hearts desired. They came home only slightly sunburnt and happy after their first "real" trip together- 26 hours in the car round trip was met with many combos, nerd clusters, and coffee consumed.

That spring, the two signed up for their first race together in September. How Phil, the runner, got Sydney, the avid not runner, to participate, is still a mystery. It has been said her thoughts were "I can walk that far in Disney in one day." Not exactly the same thing, Sydney. A really great summer went by and had some training sprinkled in there, so that Phil could run his 6th marathon and Sydney could run her first half. They both crossed that enjoyed their medal and banana :)

On Black Friday, Sydney and Phil acquired their first full size Christmas tree that they (Sydney) very quickly set up and decorated. Phil's apartment was dubbed Christmas central that year. They celebrated their second Christmas together, but first Christmas with their own tree!

Second trip to Gatlinburg in the books! The two walked the strip (the Mexican restaurant they went to actually had guacamole this year), enjoyed the hot tub amidst the cool mountain air, and went to Dolly Parton's Stampede (which is still talked about to this day).

April 20, 2024. The day she said yes to forever. After a lovely dinner at Carson's in Lexington, a restaurant where birthdays and anniversaries have been celebrated, Phil took Sydney to the Arboretum at UK. He had planned the perfect spot where the trees were in bloom, and even had Sydney's two best friends there and hiding around the corner to surprise her. The easiest yes followed by the happiest tears, we officially have fiancees! A surprise celebration with friends followed in Georgetown, as Phil wanted to mark the beginning of their next chapter where their new home would be. How thoughtful is he?

They bought a house! Her crap became his crap, and his crap became her crap. So many trips to Lowe's. Putting together IKEA furniture. Deciding whose decorations get put where. Cleaning out the garage and shed. Installing a washer and dryer. Homeownership. They are very happy to finally be able to come home to each other every night.