James and Mia met at St. Bonaventure University (SBU) in April 2018, approximately two weeks before their college graduation. Mia, an SBU ROTC transfer, was celebrating her last hoorah with her Army ROTC friends, who just so happened to be mutual friends with James. While they were attending the same day party, James confidently approached Mia and shouted, "BUFFALO!" Mia, confused with James's behavior, assumed he was referring to the Buffalo Bills. As a born and raised Patriots fan, Mia scowled at James, shook her head in disgust, and yelled back, "No!", to which James hung his head and sulked away. Little did Mia know that James was attempting to flirt with her, as "Buffalo" is common SBU lingo, which intends to invite someone to participate in a game with them. The very next day, Mia and James ended up at a small gathering, once again by happens chance. They laughed about the Buffalo misunderstanding, clicked immediately, and the rest is history!

Over the next two and half years, Mia and James continued to fall more and more for each other. Separated geographically due to their pursuance of their respective five-year doctoral programs, their love has been endured through frequent Skype calls and plane trips. The couple shares a passion for traveling, hiking, and exploring nature. As their interest in outdoor excursions has deepened, so has their desire to share their rest of their lives together! On November 27th, 2020, James got down on one knee and asked Mia to marry him on the edge of the Shawgunk Mountains. Of course Mia answered, "Yes!!" from the mountaintops. Mia and James cannot wait to share their special day with you!! See you at the wedding on September 3, 2023!