Fernando and Catherine met on Catholic Match in spring 2022 as master's students in different programs. Catherine was interviewing for jobs across the country and Fernando was ready to swear off dating apps (and long-distance) - and they met just in time! Catherine took a job in NYC, and after months of long weekend phone calls and snail mail letters, Fernando flew out to visit in November, and they met in person for the first time. After numerous NYC adventures, ski trips, video game days, and Netflix parties, Catherine moved back to Michigan! Then the "closer-distance" era began, with frequent train trips between Chicago and Kalamazoo (RIP, South Shore Line construction). When Catherine's sense of direction failed her leaving the train station, Fernando said, "look for the legs". If you know, you know. Fernando moved to Michigan in spring 2024, around the same time that Catherine got her kittens. The summer was full of adventures, such as wildflower hikes that were twice as long as we expected, beach days, Fernando's first time camping, and frog hikes through the local parks. Catherine did not make it easy for Fernando to propose! His first attempt was thwarted by traffic, his second by Catherine's unpredictable travel schedule, and his third by a sudden onset of rain. Luckily, his fourth attempt worked out! Fernando proposed on the steps of Catherine's house, dressed as a hobbit and quoting the Lord of the Rings. (She said yes!) They look forward to many more adventures together.