Ethney Dosenbach has always been a planner. As she packed up her high school life and prepared to move to the University of South Carolina in 2020, Ethney promised herself she wouldn’t entertain any romantic prospects. Ethney believed that college would be her time to focus on school, her career, and set herself up for the future as a young professional. Her plans were bulldozed by the tall, goofy guy with glasses just down the hall from her at Preston Residential College: Benjamin Werner. Ben headed to college unsure of where life and his education would take him. He hoped classes would shed light on his passions and new people would strengthen his character. To his surprise, an even greater adventure was ahead, and his life would forever change for the better when he met a girl like no other. It was through a shared mutual friend group that Ethney and Ben would occasionally be sat across from one another at group dinners, but it was never anything more. They would wave at one another on campus or in the Preston lobby throughout the Fall semester. Until February 2021, when this Freshman group of friends decided to draw random valentines to combat an otherwise lonely Valentine’s Day. In true Romantic Comedy fashion, Ethney and Ben were randomly drawn to be each other’s valentine. It was this moment of fate that brought the two of them together. Ethney and Ben went to IKEA in Charlotte, Smoothie King, and spent the day in endless laughter. To keep it simple, the rest is history.

Ethney and Ben moved in together two and a half years later. They rescued a seven year old tuxedo cat named Megatron, and began settling into their shared life together. In 2023, Ethney began exploring options to pursue her Master's degree. As she began this search, she and Ben had many conversations about where they wanted their future to be. They agreed on one thing: anywhere, as long as they were together. One night in early 2024, Ben told Ethney: “I will follow you anywhere. You are the woman I am going to marry.” Ethney accepted an offer at the University of Tennessee, and the two began planning their move to Knoxville. As time continued on, Ethney began to get an intuition that Ben was thinking about proposing. Ethney graduated from the University of South Carolina on May 4th, 2024, and not 24 hours later, Ben proposed in Fort Mill, SC on May 5th. Keeping his promise.

Everyday Ethney shows Ben that happily ever afters truly do exist, and that there is no limit to how much true love can grow. Through constant support and kindness, Ethney has shown Ben what a pure heart is and helped his self confidence blossom. Whenever Ben has small successes, Ethney helps to make them feel big. Ben can always look to Ethney for words of advice and clarity in times of uncertainty no matter the storm.

Ben has shown Ethney that the most beautiful things in life can’t be planned, and to lean into the beauty of following your heart; even if it leads you just six doors down the hall. Ben reminds her to savor the calm moments life offers, and can always make her laugh on the greyest of days. Ethney says she falls in love with Ben over and over again every single day. And she can’t wait to keep falling in love with every version of him for the rest of her life.

With such authentic love, Ethney and Ben's relationship grows seamlessly from silly kids in college into adulthood. The many experiences they have already shared together have forged a bond that will not waver and will only deepen as they continue to spend their years together. Theirs is a love for today, tomorrow, and forever.