Our love story began when we were 18 years old. We met in 2011 at Valparaiso University. Dan was a sophomore; Grace was a freshman. We ran in similar circles and had mutual friends. Unlike many fairytales, it was not love at first site. On the contrary, we were both lost in separate relationships when we first met. It wasn’t until 2012 Cinco de Mayo, that our friendship got flipped-turned upside down. That afternoon we managed to steal sombreros, compete in festive events around campus, and kickoff a friendship that from the beginning was unbreakable. We both agree, Cinco de Mayo at Valpo was a day that we will never forget. It was a fiesta that marked the beginning of our forever. That summer, we spoke every night for hours on end. We were separated by 150 miles of highways and interstates, but we would both sneak outside in the dead of the night, giddy with excitement, and naive of what was brewing. It took Grace 3 months of disbelief and denial and Dan 3 months of uncertainty before we went on our first date. In July, we finally met up in Valparaiso, IN. On our first date, Dan was dragged to his first local 4-H country fair and challenged in a considerably unfair match of putt-putt golf. That evening, we laid on the grass of the soccer field listening to Bo Burnham and laughing at each other with each other. We knew that we had a friendship for life. Since our first date, we have been inseparable souls. We’ve shared our passions and helped expand each other’s horizons. Although we've remained hundreds of miles apart, as Grace chose to follow her dreams and attend optometry school in Bloomington, IN, Dan continues to be a steadfast support system, cheerleader, and confidante. Our relationship is solid, built on trust, humor, and communication. Grace’s sass and introverted behaviors are balanced by Dan’s playful and erratic charm. Eight years later, Dan proposed on Saturday, July 6. After a brief relapse in judgment, Grace inevitably said ‘yes’