Alina and Sydney spent the better part of their early college years orbiting the same social circles (courtesy of Sydney’s sister, Samantha), living within a mile of each other, and playing in their university's marching band. Despite all this seemingly obvious overlap, they somehow didn't become friends until junior year. That finally changed in August 2021, when the University of Illinois welcomed students back to in-person classes. If you ask Alina, their friendship began during band camp. If you ask Sydney, it was simply about time they started talking, especially since Sydney had already had a crush on Alina back in sophomore year. Over the next few months, Alina taught Sydney to spot seasonal constellations, like finding Orion by his belt, and Sydney taught Alina how to avoid getting lost on the quarter-mile trek from the Main Quad back to her dorm. The two began dating in December 2021, after Sydney asked Alina to join them for a walk to go stargazing. Alina said yes beneath Orion's Belt and a waxing crescent moon. About 18 months (and 24 seasons of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit") later, they graduated from college. After graduation, their world expanded. They moved to Madison, Wisconsin, in June 2023 and adopted two cats — Virgo and Friday — a few months later. Since then, the Illinois natives have discovered some of the area’s best hiking trails, drive-in theaters and breakfast sandwich spots. In early October 2024, after more than a year of meticulous planning, Sydney proposed on a beach in northern Wisconsin just after 10 p.m. under a clear, star-filled sky and yet another waxing crescent moon. Alina said yes, again. Now in 2026, Alina and Sydney are happily at home in Madison, spending their days still discovering the best breakfast sandwiches, spoiling Virgo and Friday and counting down to their wedding day — a celebration they can’t wait to share with their loved ones.