In January 2019, Maddi and Ben met. Maddi had recently started a new job as an RA at Ohio University. Ben happened to be one of the residents on her floor. Ben tried to be suave (well, as suave as a 19-year-old boy could be); Maddi tried to be the "cool RA" (Maddi has never relaxed a day in her life), each wanting to impress the other. Though their love story wouldn't technically start for almost two years later, they immediately knew the other was special. In September 2020, mere months after the start of the pandemic, Maddi and Ben reconnected. Talk about a unique dating experience -- with no sit-in restaurants, few COVID-safe activities available, and an abundance of caution, the pair shared hopes, dreams, and values while roller skating on campus and over homemade dinners of Ben's specialty, "green spaghetti" (read: bootleg pesto). Despite the world seemingly falling to pieces amid uncertainty, Maddi and Ben fell in love. Each year of their relationship was marked by a significant shift. Year 1: Students during COVID. Year 2: Maddi trial-ran adulthood by serving in AmeriCorps while Ben worked and finished his last year of college. Year 3: Ben and Maddi moved to western Pennsylvania to pursue their careers and be closer to Maddi's family. They moved in together in the summer of 2023. On August 6, 2023, Ben asked; Maddi said yes. They (we!) are so excited for the rest of our lives together. We can't wait to celebrate with you on November 9, 2024!