Our story started through mutual friends and a series of connections that only made sense in hindsight. Nat’s best friend, Ally, was dating her high school boyfriend James, who eventually went to UMass Amherst and became roommates with Colin. Even though Nat and Colin never actually met during those college years, they ended up loosely connected, following each other on social media through mutual friends. Fast forward to COVID, when a simple connection turned into something more. What started as casual Instagram DMs quickly became daily conversations, bonding over a shared love of alternative rock music and genuinely enjoying each other’s company, even from a distance. After months of talking, Colin made a spontaneous decision that would change everything. He drove all the way to New Jersey to meet Nat in person. If you know Nat, you know that was a big deal. That first visit was effortless, fun, and full of the kind of connection you cannot fake. By his second trip to New Jersey, Colin made it official and asked Nat to be his girlfriend, which kicked off nearly four years of long distance. Long distance was not always easy, but it was always worth it. What could have been the hardest part of their relationship became proof of how strong it really was. Choosing each other, over and over again, was the easiest decision they ever made. In September 2024, Nat made the move to Massachusetts to finally close the distance and start their next chapter together. Just a couple months later, in November, Colin proposed, turning years of love, patience, and commitment into forever.