Growing up, we were lucky enough to spend our summers at sleep-away camp at OSRUI. It wasn't until the summer of 2014 that we ended up in the same unit. On the last day of camp that year, all the campers exchanged phone numbers before returning to their hometowns. We kept in touch throughout the year but insisted we were just friends. The following summer, Ethan gathered the courage to ask Sarah to be his “Shabbat Walk” during the first week of camp. One Shabbat Walk turned into four, and by the end of camp, we decided to take a leap into a long-distance relationship. Four years of many Peoria Charter bus rides between Champaign and Hoffman Estates were rewarded by short trips across the Ikenberry Quad when we both decided to attend the University of Illinois together. Over the next few years, we supported each other through the highs and lows of Illinois sports, studied abroad in Spain, and moved into our first home together in Chicago. We couldn’t be more excited to start a new chapter in our journey together!

In February 2024, we returned to the University of Illinois with our friends to support our good friend Nina for her senior project. Little did Sarah know, she was in for a surprise that weekend! On our way to brunch the next day, Ethan suddenly made a “wrong turn” and ended up at the University of Illinois Arboretum. As soon as he told Sarah they were taking a quick “detour” and going on a short walk in the chilly, below-freezing temperatures, she knew what was coming next. After the initial shock, Ethan guided Sarah to a nearby bench overlooking the lake, where he popped the question. Through all the happy tears, Sarah said yes!