We met in Chicago doing our favorite thing, playing soccer. Despite graduating from DePaul University the same year, we had never officially met. We're so grateful that Katie's team needed a ringer that game. She had always dreamed of moving to New York and was already planning to do so. Matt basically said "See you there," and moved out a few months later, into a separate apartment, of course. After eight years of dating, Matt proposed to Katie over Labor Day in 2023 in Michigan. The most beautiful sunset was behind us and Katie had no idea it was coming. Lu and Mo were elated.

In 2025, Matt's birthday happened to coincide with a planetary parade, where seven of the eight planets would align in the night sky. To celebrate, we thought it fitting to travel to the birthplace of the god who created the universe: Tepoztlán. Tepoztlán is one of Mexico's magical towns, designated because of its beauty and mystical qualities. To the Aztec, it is the birthplace of the winged serpent god Quetzalcoatl, who--along with his brother--created the universe. It is also home to an Aztec temple for Tepoztécatl, one of the four hundred mystical rabbits who are the gods of pulque, and frequently meet for drunken parties. To ring in year 34, Katie took Matt out to three (tres) [3] birthday dinners. Dinner One was in the jungle, with a view of mountains rising between the ferns. On the way to Dinner Two, two dogs were kind enough to escort us on a sunset walk through cobblestone streets and walls covered with red hibiscus and purple bougainvillea flowers. Dinner Two saw nightfall, fresh tortillas with escamoles, and Matt learning how to say the planets in Spanish as we pointed to sky with other amateur stargazers. We finished the night in a secret garden for Dinner Three. It was perfect, and we think you'll agree.