Annie and Declan were playing at Bay View’s Fawns Club when Declan and his friend Marcel daringly climbed to the top of the highest jungle gym, where no other kids would venture. But Annie followed after them, climbing her way to the top, making a lasting impression. It was the start of what blossomed into a deep friendship nearly three decades long. Summer after summer the two would reconnect in Bay View where Declan taught Annie to play golf and Annie taught Declan card games. When it came time to pick a college, Declan took a trip down to Kentucky to see what Annie had always been bragging about. Between the horse tracks, tailgating, and the southern girls, it was an easy first choice for Declan. In college, the friendship continued to evolve, through UK games and dirty laundry, trips abroad and parties. After graduating college, they continued to stay in close touch even though they were living on other sides of the country. After leaving California, Annie returned to Michigan to spend her summer with Declan in Bay View. One day, a couple weeks into the summer, she turned to Declan and said, “So when are you going to ask me out?” Declan’s response, “yeah… I’ve been meaning to do that.” Three days later they went on their first date.