It all started in 2018 in Fort Collins, Colorado, where we were both enrolled in the same graduate program. You’d think this would be the beginning of a classic academic love story. Two bright minds, drawn together by shared passion and intellectual curiosity.

It wasn’t.

In fact, we did not like each other at first.

We were both competitive, opinionated, and (at least one of us will admit) a little stubborn. Group projects felt more like debate tournaments. Study sessions turned into passive-aggressive arguments. To put it lightly: sparks flew... but not the romantic kind.

But life has a funny way of working things out.

Over time and many, many hours spent pretending the college dining hall food was edible, something shifted. Maybe it was the late-night laughter, the endless refills of dining hall fountain drinks, or the realization that we actually enjoyed challenging each other. Somewhere between shared fries and shared frustrations, a friendship grew... and eventually, something much more.

Fast forward a few years, and we've moved across the country together, from the mountains of Colorado, to the brownstones of Boston, and now to the bridges of Pittsburgh collecting memories, reptiles, a cat, and some other creatures along the way.

Then, in May of 2024, while visiting Iceland (because we’re clearly dramatic), we hiked to a hidden waterfall called Gljúfrabúi. With the sound of cascading water and the most epic scenery imaginable, one of us got down on one knee and the other immediately started crying not from joy, but from the freezing cold mist… mostly.

And here we are.

We’ve come a long way from academic rivals to life partners and we’re so excited to celebrate this next chapter with all of you.