Ironically Clayton attended medical school at the same campus I had attended undergrad, so our paths just missed crossing. Nearly four years later, we met by mutual friends at the end of our third year of medical school in Elmira, New York. Several months later, we were in the same trivia group every Wednesday at our favorite local restaurant, Ill Eagle. Clayton always walked there and then would ask for a ride home afterwards (it was usually -2 outside). Mid-December, he showed up on my doorstep and asked me on a date, to quote directly "This is a terrible idea and the timing couldn't be worse (we were mid residency interview season at this point) but will you go to dinner with me?" Two months later, we were linking our residency match lists in the couples match. Come Match Day, I found out I would be in Harrisburg, PA and Clayton in Kalamazoo, MI. Despite this, we were determined to make it work. We spent the remainder of our 4th year together spending time with each other's families and traveling. Clayton moved me to Harrisburg and I still vividly remember having to say goodbye dropping him off at the airport to start his move to Kalamazoo. The next two years we spent in a long distance relationship, which involved lots of weekend trips and coordinating vacation time. We will forever be thankful for the support we received during this time (namely Josh, Brandon, Kyra, Sarah, Kent, and Caitlyn) - the sacrifices and flexibility they offered for us to have more time together will never be forgotten. A miracle happened and I was given the opportunity to transfer to Clayton's program at the beginning of our third year. This allowed us to finally start our lives together. It is difficult to express how much gratitude we have for this (thank you Dr. Shebrain) and for the support I received in the transition (thank you Dr. DiMarco) we will never forget this. It was incredibly difficult to leave behind the friendships I had forged in Harrisburg. This was eased by everyone in Kalamazoo who has been so welcoming and kind, and I have been blessed with many new friendships. We would also like to acknowledge those who took us in when our leases were up in the few weeks to months before our move (Kristi, Jay, Mike, and Rachelle/Desmond). Clayton pulled off the dream proposal and asked me to marry him May 15, 2024 overlooking Jenny Lake in the Teton Mountains. Since we have been living in Kalamazoo anxiously awaiting the day we finally get to say "I do" surrounded by all our family and friends. We can't wait to celebrate with everyone!!

We chose Colorado Springs for more than just the beauty of the landscape. This has been a special place for my family, particularly the church in which we will be married. My grandparents, Jim and Dorthea O'Leary, both graduated high school from St. Mary's and were married there December 30th, 1950 and were married for 63 years until my Grandpa passed in 2014. My great grandparents were even married there as well. Many of their 8 children were baptized there, and my mother had her First Communion there. I remember when I was young sitting in St. Mary's surrounded by my many relatives for my grandparents anniversary Mass and thinking this is where I will get married someday surrounded by family just like this.