Our story began in Rome, 2019, at the start of Virginia Tech’s Business in Europe summer study-abroad program. We quickly became friends during our 6-week class, traveling between Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany. Returning to Blacksburg in the fall, our friendship continued as we scheduled classes together and participated in social events outside of school. During COVID restrictions, all classes were online, so our friend group decided to take classes together in the same apartment to stay social - strengthening our friendship further. In the spring of our Senior year, 2021, our connection grew beyond friendship. After graduation, we dated long-distance between Chapel Hill, NC, and Vienna, VA, before Cody moved to Northern Virginia and began his career with Otis Elevators. In 2024, Holly began pursuing her MBA at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, and Cody transitioned to a fully remote role within Otis. We moved to Bloomington, Indiana, got our sweet dachshund puppy, Slinky, and have been enjoying being Hoosiers (especially cheering on IU football). On December 31st, Cody planned a surprise marriage proposal in his hometown of Vero Beach. Cody and Holly’s families, including Cody’s 93-year-old grandmother, Paulette, joined the celebration to 'ring' in the New Year!