Abby and I first met at a college cross country team party, music blaring and neon lights flashing. We exchanged names, and when I reached out for a handshake, she took my hand and didn't let go for a solid minute. I don't know what it says about me that all it took to fall in love was a firm handshake, but I was sold. In the ensuing weeks, we bonded over our shockingly similar tastes in music, swapping playlists and songs. I tried to impress her with homemade cocktails, though I spilled the very first one I made her. We sang karaoke at the local dive (Mr. Brightside, obviously), went cliff jumping at the lake, and explored the beautiful mountains of the Boone, NC high country. After what felt like weeks of me asking to date her, Abby finally agreed as we overlooked an incredible golden-orange sunset on the 21st night of September. Over the last 2+ years, Abby and I have been lucky enough to explore all kinds of different places together: introducing each other to our homes in Chattanooga and Pennsylvania, hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, camping and concerts in Asheville, biking along the beach in Brigantine, NJ, and finally living in the same city again in Knoxville after a year of long-distance. But my favorite place we've been together, by far, is Iceland. Crammed into a small campervan with the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree, we roamed around the south end of the island, hopping between waterfalls, climbing mountains, and chasing clear skies to see the aurora borealis (ask us about our rendition of Principal Skinner and Superintendent Chalmers). Finally, perched on a slope on the Systrafoss plateau, we got our chance to see them, and under the northern lights I asked Abby to marry me. The next few minutes were a blur, but I'm pretty sure she said yes, because now we're planning a wedding! We're super excited to see everyone here in Knoxville in October. Below is a map we made of our journey so far!