When a childhood summer camp friend of Megan reached out during freshman year of college and connected her with a high school friend, Megan was surprised to learn she lived just across the quad from this serendipitous stranger. Avery charmed Megan with a hike in the redwoods of Santa Cruz, counting banana slugs and naming candies to pass the time. Several weeks and a few forest outings later, they decided dating would be a fun adventure, too.

Megan thought Avery was crazy when he insisted they host both families in their 1 bedroom apartment for Thanksgiving 2018. Little did Megan know Avery had worked out an elaborate plan to propose with her Grandmother's ring. Just as the food was ready, Avery "spilled some gravy" on his shirt in the shape of a hippopotamus (codeword for Jim to get the camera ready) and left to change. He returned in his suit, got down on one knee, and, in front of their families, asked Megan to marry him!

Byers-Phung-Marion doesn't exactly flow off the tongue, so we decided to take things in a new (simpler) direction for our last name. Rather than force a combination or invent a new name, we chose Vu, Avery's grandmother's maiden name. It feels right, honoring a family matriarch who inspires us with her kindness and wisdom, and having our own name to build our married life around. Get ready to celebrate a party for Vu!