Before our freshman year at South Dakota State University, we both decided to join the Honors College and attend the annual "Hike & Read" event that occurs the day before classes start. During our hike around Oak Lake we ended up walking next to each other and our personalities clicked. We didn't realize we had been assigned to the same van until our ride home, and even snapped a picture together in it!

McCrory Garden’s is one of the most beautiful spots in Brookings and also happens to be across the street from where we both lived after moving off campus. During our college years, we walked through the garden often. What better place to return to after spending five years together? On a warm Sunday afternoon, underneath our favorite willow tree, we reminisced on all the memories we’d made and promised to continue making memories for years to come.