In the fall of 2016, Alexa started her very first soccer preseason at Lewis & Clark College. Before arriving on campus, she received an email from a sophomore football/baseball player who was assigned to be her mentor. His name was Pete. He wrote her an extremely thoughtful message to introduce himself and assure her that he’d be happy to provide any support she needed. And how did she respond to such a sweet email, you may ask? She never replied and totally forgot all about it. Oops. After arriving on campus, Alexa quickly bonded with her teammates, two of which are now her best friends and bridesmaids! One evening, one of these friends was invited to a football player’s dorm to hang out. Alexa was asked to come along as backup. As Alexa sat watching tv in the common area of the dorm room with her teammate, suddenly in walked Pete! It sounds cliché, but when Alexa saw him for the first time, her heart actually jumped. She thought he was the most handsome guy she’d ever seen. Although she was crushing hard, she assumed she'd never have a chance with him since he was older and, in her eyes, out of her league. When Pete saw Alexa for the first time at this moment, he locked eyes with his roommate and they made a silent agreement - he had to make Alexa his for a lifetime (or something like that). Pete has always been smooth as butter and quick on his feet (according to him and him alone). He knew this was his opportunity. However, a memory beamed its way into his mind that this was the girl that ignored his thoughtful email. Not one to let a slight go unpunished, he turned to her and offered her a quick, professional handshake. He said, "Hi I'm Pete. I think I'm your mentor. It’s nice to meet you." Then he turned away, went into his room, and closed the door behind him. Cold. Ice cold. Alexa did think that was a bit strange, but didn’t let it discourage her. She continued happily serving as the third wheel any time her friend went over to the football dorm in silent hopes that she might see Pete again. It helped that she loved spending time with her two new friends, regardless of the added bonus of possibly seeing her crush. One night, it finally happened. As Alexa and her two friends hung out and debated what movie to watch, Pete came home. Pete’s roommate, knowing about Alexa’s little crush and wanting to play matchmaker, practically begged Pete to watch the movie with them. Thankfully, Pete said yes! After getting to know each other more (and clearing up the whole accidental ghosting thing, which is now just a funny part of their story), Pete & Alexa became inseparable. They were by each other’s sides through all of undergrad, all of collegiate sports, all of graduate school, and on September 13th, they’ll promise to be by each other’s sides forever!