Alyssa and Neil both started graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh in the Fall of 2013; she was working towards her Masters in Public Health, while he was getting his Masters in Higher Education Administration. They met through a mutual friend (shout out to Jenna Pasquino!) that fall. Alyssa was a little hesitant at first, but after some persistence from Neil they met for drinks that winter, although there is still a debate as to when and where the first date actually was...

Hiking is a shared passion of Alyssa and Neil. So when Neil was planting the seed to go for a hike in Frick Park in the week leading up to July 2nd, Alyssa didn't think much of it. Prior to the hike, Neil was able to slip the ring into the camelback they would be carrying on the hike. As they were finishing up with the last part of their hike, Neil asked Alyssa to move over to the side of the trail and got down on one knee - SHE SAID YES! In the fumbling to get the ring out of the backpack, however, Neil dropped the car keys and did not realize until they were back at the car. Luckily they were only a half mile away and so a quick jog back down the trail to the spot they will never forget yielded a quick find of the keys.