05.31.25

Amidst the swirling chaos of college life, where deadlines loomed like storm clouds and caffeine was the elixir of survival, fate orchestrated its whims in the unlikeliest of settings: a statistical analytics class. It all began with a glance, one of those fleeting moments that seem insignificant at the time but later become the cornerstone of a lifetime. Carley couldn't help but be drawn to Eddie's snazzy style, even at the ungodly hour of an early morning class. She figured anyone who dressed that sharp must be sharp themselves. Summoning a dash of courage, Carley approached Eddie and asked if she could take the seat beside him. With a smile, he obliged, setting the stage for what would become a remarkable journey. "Thanks! Hope you're smart, because I'm going to need all the help I can get!" Carley quipped, to which Eddie replied with his trademark modesty, "I'd like to think I do alright." Their academic alliance soon blossomed into a partnership, with Eddie generously sharing his knowledge (and, rumor has it, completing more than his fair share of Carley's homework). Despite being in other relationships at the time, their connection continued to deepen throughout the semester, culminating in a fateful group project where Carley insisted Eddie follow her on Twitter, back when that was the height of coolness. But life, as it often does, had other plans. They parted ways after the semester ended, lost touch as months slipped by, and relationships ended. Yet, just when it seemed their connection had faded into memory, fate intervened once more, this time in the form of a single tweet. Carley's innocent Tweet about her lack of golf skills caught Eddie's attention one day while he was eating at his favorite place, Chipotle. He couldn't believe there was someone who'd never swung a club before, especially someone who worked at a Country Club. In a flurry of messages, plans were hatched, and before they knew it, they found themselves on a golf course, grappling with the daunting task of introducing Carley to the sport. As they laughed at Carley's futile attempts to connect with the ball and endured the sweltering heat, something magical began to bloom amidst the chaos. Even though the round of golf was a comedy of errors, and someone (ahem, Eddie) may have earned a speeding ticket afterward, their connection deepened over shared slices of pizza and effortless conversations. Not long after this eventful first date, Eddie took a leap of faith, asking Carley to be his girlfriend. Eight years later, their journey continues, guided by laughter, love, and the occasional rogue golf ball. (If you know you know) As they stand on the cusp of forever, ready to embark on the adventure of marriage, one thing is abundantly clear: sometimes, the most unexpected detours lead us exactly where we're meant to be.