One Spring weekend in 2014, Doug visited his friend at the University of Florida, where I was also in grad school at the time and really good friends with his friend (small world). We were both Graduate Assistants (GAs) together in the Athletic Department. Our friend woke up to a text from Doug saying he was already on his way from Raleigh, so when he got to Gainesville, we gave him the grand tour and then did what we knew best. We took Doug to The Swamp (the famous restaurant) for buffalo chicken wraps (if you know, you know) and out to the 50 yard-line in the stadium when the bars closed (sorry Mom). Doug and I kept in touch here and there, but in 2022, he returned to UConn as the Special Teams Coordinator for the football program. He had gone to undergrad at UConn and had previously worked as a Football GA and was excited to come back and Coach where he went to school. Funny thing is, I was also working at UConn in the Athletic Department. Who would have thought our paths would cross again almost ten years later in Connecticut. While everyone was out celebrating the last home game win against ranked Liberty in 2022, Doug and I bumped into each other (again) that night. And the rest is history. Doug proposed the weekend before Football started in August 2025 in the living room of his townhouse. If you know me, I am pretty hard to catch off guard, but Doug pulled off the ultimate surprise and was the easiest 'yes' yet. We are so excited for this next chapter together, and wherever life (and football) takes us.