Let's Celebrate!

Her Story: The best part of college? Getting a ton of free swag and apparently, meeting the love of your life while doing so! Back in November 2017, my friend asked me to join her, another friend, and his roommate Daniel for a UB volleyball game to get free t-shirts. Now, my love for free stuff paid off because it was at this very volleyball game that I met Daniel. My 1st impression? He was tall haha. Not sure why because we don't even have a big height difference! We initially didn't talk much at the game because we were sitting on opposite ends until I introduced myself to him. We watched the game and ended the night with hotpot which was the beginning of all the hangouts that brought us closer. Throughout these group hangouts, we still never really spoke one-on-one, even after a road trip to Canada with friends. Then one night during a late-night McDonald's run, while our friends were ordering, the two of us were waiting off to the side. I remember thinking "Well, this is a bit awkward...we've never talked alone before." Then Daniel asked, "What are you doing for winter break?" I told him I was studying abroad in Korea and to my surprise, he said he was going to Korea too for a family trip! And somehow, a random question at McDonald’s turned into us. His Story: It was Fall of 2017, Elaine and I met for the first time at a volleyball game on college campus. We didn’t really talk or interact until around mid December where we were out getting a late night snack from McDonalds with a group of friends. We talked about how we were going to be spending our upcoming winter break. My family and I were going to be in S. Korea and China while she was going to be studying abroad in Seoul. To be honest, she messaged me first during that winter break, and from that point on we started to slowly talk more. At some point my family was in Seoul and I was going to try and meet up with her but that had to be put on hold. I looked forward to our convos during winter break instead. Eventually I smooth talked my way into a causal hangout over Chipotle. Those casual hangouts shortly turned into unforgettable lunch dates around campus and this warm, and welcoming feeling I got whenever I was around her kept growing. I will forever be grateful for that first message during winter break. If it weren’t for that FIRST step I wouldn’t have what I have now and I would’ve never found the love of my life.

Kyu Shiba Rikyu Gardens | Tokyo, Japan A beautiful and peaceful garden in Tokyo, a very nervous Daniel, and the easiest “yes” ever from Elaine.