We're getting married!

Our first run-in with each other was at a party at Indiana University, for the Swim Club, which Conner was in at the time. Sydnie had a friend who was also in Swim Club, and that friend had brought Syd along to this party. Upon arrival at the party, Syd clocks Conner immediately and points him out to her friend ("Ooh, that guy is cute"). Unbeknownst to Sydnie, her friend has a massive crush on Conner. So her friend takes what is, and this is not an exaggeration, the worst photo of Sydnie that has ever been taken (We're talking mid-sentence, crazy hair, taken-from-below, weird lighting, etc.) and sends it to Conner with the question "Do you think my friend is cute?". Spoiler alert: He said NO.

The first time Syd and Conner really met was on Valentine's Day, 2020. Conner had just come back home from visiting his mom, and had no plans for Valentine's day. Sydnie was hanging out with her friends (including the aforementioned friend in the Swim Club), in Read Hall, playing Mario Kart. Conner joined them and they spent the evening laughing, playing games, and eating pizza.

After Valentine's Day, Syd and Conner really hit it off. Dating hadn't really been a thought, but they knew they would be good friends, and both had a feeling that they'd be important in each other's lives. In Spring of 2020, two of Syd's college friends (including her roommate at the time, Lill - hi Lill!) had flights booked to come to CO with her during spring break. With COVID looming on the horizon, one of her friends had to cancel. Conner asked if he could have her ticket, and traveled with Syd and Lill to CO for the week, where they all had a blast exploring the mountains, hanging out with Jakob (hi Jakob!), and having great food at Syd's house.

After coming back from a trip to CO, Syd & Conner attended a virtual concert (Band: AJR, Location: Conner's living room). During the song "Dear Winter", they slow danced in front of the TV and Conner told Syd he loved her. Syd said it back and they started dating *officially* the next day.

Determined to "wow" his new girlfriend, Conner told Syd to put on her finest dress and be ready for dinner. They drove to Indianapolis and went to Harry & Izzy's Steakhouse, had an amazing time, and Conner gave Syd a journal to document their adventures together. (Syd totally dropped the ball on this after the first year, but wouldn't it have been cute to put it out at the wedding?)

A plan, where Sydnie would be out to lunch with her friends on Sunday while Conner, Daryl, and Randi went to the driving range, was quickly thrown into the wind when Daryl and Randi asked if anyone wanted to help walk the dogs Friday afternoon. Maybe five minutes into the walk, it was time to ask the question. Conner said to Randi and Daryl, "so, I was hoping to ask for your permission/blessing... for Sydnie and I to get married." The rest was mostly a blur for Conner, but all accounts report a list of questions from Randi about what the plan was for the engagement and a hug with a resounding yes from Daryl.

The story you've all been waiting for. Conner & Sydnie flew to Colorado on August 7th, 2024. They spent the day with Daryl & Randi, Sydnie getting her nails & hair done, and Conner golfing, before heading up to Estes Park. Once in Estes, they shared a meal at an Irish pub, bought a bottle of wine, and headed back to their Bed & Breakfast (the CUTEST place, by the way, look up Romantic Riversong Inn in Estes) for drinks and a game of chess. The next day, they explored what Estes had to offer. Starting off with a hike (and passing some Elk on the way over), followed by lunch in the town, then a peddle boat and bike ride in and around lake Estes and dinner at a nearby steakhouse (YUM). The following morning, Sydnie was instructed to "stay in the room", while Conner set up flowers & hid friends near the river on the property. Once everything was ready, they collected breakfast from the kitchen and headed down to the stream, where Conner pulled out a ring (and promptly began to cry). After a resounding "yes!", Conner gestured towards some nearby bushes, where Syd's closest friends, Noell & Ashleigh, were hiding with cameras! Pictures were taken and the group headed to explore & shop downtown Estes before heading back to Superior, where many friends and family awaited them, as Conner had arranged for his family, Syd's family, and their mutual friends to fly out and surprise them. The rest of the weekend was filled with community, food, wine, and lots of laughter.