It’s June 2021 and both Emily and Clay’s phones light up with a new Tinder match. Clay has already earned a little smirk from Emily by making his first message about none other than Gizmo. In an act of spontaneity that was uncommon for both of them, they decided to go on a first date after work on a Thursday with about 30 minutes notice. Emily suggested the MAG lawn since it was one of her most frequented spots and very close by (she neglected to tell Clay it was quite literally across the street from her place). She won some points in Clay’s book right off the bat by having some Other Half beers for their lawn hang (thanks, brothers). Fast forward a few hours, significantly past both of their 8pm regular bedtimes and it was a successful first date minus Emily almost peeing her pants and then having to tell Clay she lived across the street to take a little intermission before coming back to talk for even longer (she definitely did not let him in because she still had to make sure he wasn’t a murderer at that point). Then began the whirlwind of sending song recommendations on Spotify every day, hikes, rocking out to songs on long drives, falling in love with each other’s cats (and then with each other), way too much Abbott’s ice cream, hammock hangs, jigsaw puzzling on cozy days, and more and more time passing by and still thinking “wow, this is really effortless and I’m still not getting sick of this person despite us spending massive amounts of time together…” In May 2022, we had the excitement of moving in together and making a tiny apartment our own—only to have our two fur babies hate each other for almost a year. Despite the trials and tribulations of the cats’ relationship, ours continued to get better and better! Then began the more and more frequent “if we get married one day, hypothetically….” talk and a trip to the Adirondacks October 2023 where Emily had a little inkling it might be when it would become more than hypothetical. On the hike up the mountain, Emily was slipping little grins the whole way and then convincing herself she might not actually be right. After arriving at the top and an obligatory few snackings on of Swedish fish, Clay proposed! It was too cold and windy to put on the ring, but it was exciting nonetheless! On the way down we had already started talking about the not so hypothetical wedding plans. And obviously when we arrived home from the trip, we told the cats and they got special treats. They seemed so excited for us and our big news! (or maybe it was the treats...who's to say). Between moving into our first house and our wedding in the fall, this year will definitely be our biggest one yet. We’re so excited to start this new adventure!