We grew up six miles apart in suburban Detroit, attended the University of Michigan at the same time, and worked at Borders Bookstores on opposite sides of Ann Arbor. After graduating we both traveled, living in various cities across the US, and both pursued a passion for creative writing. But it wasn't until October 2016 that we first met in person to deliver a reading together from our respective books at Pages Bookshop in Detroit. It was a good night. At the time, Katie was living in Oregon, and Matt in Michigan. We saw each other again at Christmastime. And again in the following months—many plane trips back and forth. A weekend in Denver. A family wedding. A memorial. Finally, we "trusted the universe"—Matt locked us down a house, and Katie moved across the country to join him back home. Within the week, we were engaged.