James: We met during a pickup volleyball game on MSU's campus in East Lansing. I had just been hired full-time at Jackson after interning there the summer before. Some of the guys I met during the internship last summer were back in town for another round of interning, which is where Sydney enters the equation. Sydney: I was in East Lansing for my internship at Jackson and knew literally NO ONE! On a tour of Jackson’s data center (real exciting, I know) I met some of the other interns, who invited me to play volleyball with them that night. I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make new friends so despite my pathetic ability to serve a ball, I decided to join. James: I didn’t talk to Sydney much that night because I’m kind of shy, but she seemed cool. Sydney: I thought James was so arrogant when we first met! He acted like he was too cool for school, so I didn’t end up spending a lot of time with him that night. It turns out, he was just really shy.

Sydney: We were on vacation in my favorite place: Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Growing up, we would go every summer, so it has a special place in my heart. Because we were in town the week of the 4th, I thought he would propose under the fireworks. Instead of being so predictable, he would tease me by getting down on one knee only to fix his pantleg or would reach into his pocked to grab a bulky item that turned out to be a pair of socks instead of a ring box – you can imagine my disappointment. James: I wanted to surprise her as best I could even though she already knew I purchased the ring (she’s a brat and twisted my arm into telling her I bought it). I researched the area and found a perfect restaurant. I made the reservation but had to call back and change the name. Sydney would be suspicious if we checked in under “James”. Her parents, brother, and best friend Elaine all knew what was about to go down. It was the last night we were in town and Sydney was convinced it wasn’t going to happen. When we gathered our things to leave the restaurant, it was showtime. We started walking out when I knelt on the deck, knees weak, palms sweaty. I was nervous and on the surface not calm nor ready. Everything I was planning to say escaped my mind and my hands were trembling. That’s when I pulled out the ring pop. Sydney: A RING POP? This guy really did forget the ring. Totally kidding! I was thrilled he was asking and automatically began to tear up even though James was nervously inaudible so I couldn’t tell what he was saying. James: At this point, Syd’s crying and I look to my partner in crime, Elaine, who had been holding onto the ring all week. I got myself together (kind of) and said something to the effect of “I want you to be my wife and have my babies” just as Elaine handed me the diamond. Sydney: IT WAS SO SWEET! I obviously said YES and gave the ring pop to Michael.