Our story began in 2018, at a sorority/fraternity event in Potsdam (if you know, you know). What started as a casual encounter soon became something more, with fate seemingly pulling us together over the next two years. But it wasn’t until 2020 that our journey truly unfolded—when we unexpectedly became neighbors. When the pandemic forced our sorority to relocate, Alex and I found ourselves living next door to each other. One afternoon, as Frankie and I were moving boxes into our new place, our new neighbors stepped outside to lend a hand. That’s when I saw Alex for the first time in almost a year. In that moment, something clicked. I just knew he was the one. I turned to Frankie, quietly confessed that I’d always had a crush on him, and she encouraged me to go for it. By the very next day, we were inseparable. In September 2020, we made it official, but not long after, Alex moved back to Connecticut, and we were faced with the challenge of long-distance dating. Despite the miles between us, our bond only grew stronger. Every moment together counted—whether it was the long drive from Lake George to Westport, or the even longer trek from Lititz to Potsdam. We got creative with staying connected. Facetime became our lifeline, and we developed little routines that made the distance feel more manageable. We watched movies and TV shows together, laughing and sharing the experience as if we were sitting side by side. Our lunch and dinner dates over Facetime became cherished moments we looked forward to. Throughout the day, we kept things lighthearted with games and challenges, always finding ways to stay engaged. We also discovered drawing apps, where we’d leave sweet notes and doodles on each other’s home screens—tiny reminders that we were always thinking of one another. One of our favorite rituals was syncing up our movie nights. We’d countdown together to unpause the movie at the same time, ensuring we were on the same frame. Over time, that simple countdown became something more. Instead of just counting down, we’d say, “You’re pretty, I love you, and I’ll never leave you.” That phrase evolved into our little promise, a constant reminder of our unwavering connection, no matter the distance. Alex later echoed these words in three letters he wrote me for his proposal—the “You’re Pretty” letter, the “I Love You” letter, and the “I’ll Never Leave You” letter. In May 2022, the distance finally ended when Wendy moved to Pennsylvania. We settled in the picturesque town of Lititz, where we’ve created a life full of memories—and a couple of cats along the way. Since then, we’ve lived in two homes together, embarked on countless adventures, and built an incredible life here. We’ve faced our share of challenges and heartbreak over the past five years, but through it all, we’ve stood strong by each other’s side. Our love story continued to grow, and on November 8, 2023, Alex asked Wendy to marry him, after three beautiful years together. We’re beyond excited to celebrate not just our past, but the future we’re building together, surrounded by the people we love most. Here’s to our journey—one filled with love, laughter, and countless beautiful moments. We can’t wait to take the next step as we look ahead to our wedding, which will fall five years and one day after it all began.