Ben and Tessa's story began in the fall of 2020, during their junior year at Wartburg College. By chance, they both lived in the same dorm, with Tessa on the second floor and Ben directly below. Ben, a member of the baseball team, shared the floor with teammates who, on occasion, liked to get a little rowdy.

One Friday night, the cheerful noise from Ben’s floor caught Tessa and her roommates’ attention. They could hear a lively rendition of "Happy Birthday" and decided it was the perfect excuse to meet their neighbors. Armed with a cookie in hand, they ventured downstairs to introduce themselves. It turned out Ben’s 21st birthday party was just getting started. Tessa and her friends only made a quick stop before continuing on with their evening.

Later that night, Ben, in the true spirit of his birthday celebration, sent an email to the entire dorm with the subject line "Cookie," inviting them to come join the festivities. Though Tessa and her friends had prior plans, they promised to come back another night.

Thanks to one particularly outgoing friend, the group found themselves back downstairs within the next couple of weeks. It was during this visit that the same friend discovered Ben was single and, with a playful nudge, passed along Tessa’s Snapchat.

The two quickly discovered how much they enjoyed each other’s company and their close proximity meant they got to spend a lot of time together. Tessa became one of Wartburg Baseball's #1 fans and Ben made a valiant effort to embrace the outdoors and go tent camping. The rest, as they say, is history.

Our journey has been filled with laughter, love, and countless unforgettable moments. We’re thrilled to share our story with you as we embark on this new chapter together. Thank you for being a part of our lives and for celebrating with us as we say, “I do!”

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