We met at the beginning of grad school and instantly became friends (because we're both Bills fans of course!). ∞ After a couple of years, he asked me to be his girlfriend at the SfN conference -- SO nerdy! ∞ In 2018, we moved down south to North Carolina where we both started research jobs and bought a house in Durham. ∞ We eventually adopted Anya and then Dante, and they became best buds (or frenemies?)! ∞ Dennis even taught Dante tricks! He will shake, high five, and wave for treats! ∞ One day in 2023, Dennis and I came home from dinner and changed into our PJs. We played with the cats, and he told me that he taught Dante a new trick. As I sipped my Capri-Sun/champagne cocktail, he said "Dante, go to it!" and Dante trotted into the living room with a box hanging around his neck. All of a sudden, we were engaged!