In the age of modern romance, how else could the story of Irene and Ben start, but on a little app called Bumble. When they came across each other’s profiles, it was love at first swipe (just kidding, but it was a match!). Irene was a mosquito hating Pharmacy student, and Ben was a classic southern boy with a soft spot for Bourbon. For their first date, they went to Cask and Ale, a cute whiskey lounge in downtown Madison. When they first met in person, Ben thought Irene was cute, Irene thought Ben had duped her - where was his southern accent? Turns out he was a southern boy with no accent, but thankfully still that southern charm. Although Ben would like people to think that they talked about literature and the arts on their first date, they actually spent their date narrating the first date of this other couple, David Attenborough-style. Not your typical first date activity, but this shared sense of humor and immediate comfort around each other was what led to their lasting partnership.

Through the next three and half years, Ben was there to celebrate Irene’s graduation from pharmacy school and Irene was there to celebrate Ben’s graduation with his MBA - both Wisconsin alums (Go Badgers)! They went on their first cruise together, where Ben fell violently ill and Irene got her new Nike shoes stolen, but they still had a great time lounging by the pool getting tan, mostly Irene and burnt, mostly Ben. They went hiking in Santa Barbara where they trekked for 7 miles only to come across a trail closed sign; at which point they could either turn around and hike the 7 miles back or continue and hope the end was near. They decided on the latter and continued hiking for another hour with no end in sight - Irene thought Ben had led them down the path of no return. Thankfully they made it out alive and well, only a little sweaty and tired. Irene accompanied Ben to his many graduate school parties, where they would dance so hard that Irene would get flung to the ground. Irene would always go to these parties wearing heels that were too uncomfortable, and Ben being the southern gentleman that he is, would let her borrow his shoes and walk home barefoot… one time in the dead of winter. Through all the many (now hilarious) debacles, Ben and Irene stuck together and now moving in to the next chapter of their lives, they will continue to stick together for the rest of their lives.

In typical Ben and Irene fashion, Ben had to employ not plan A, not plan B, but plan C for the proposal. Ben enlisted the help of Irene’s two sisters, Michelle and Kara, dubbed “the Eagle’s Nest". The original plan was to propose at the Memorial Union Terrace, one of their favorite Madison spots. However, as luck would have it, 2020 brought a global pandemic and the terrace was closed. Determined, Ben emailed Becky Blank, the UW chancellor, asking if two Badger alums, deeply in love with each other and Bucky, could have special permission for a proposal on the terrace. While moved by their story, the answer was no. On to plan B - the Monona Terrace! Ben suggested a nice dinner downtown one last time before they moved to California. She agreed - success! Then Irene found out about a special family-style takeout meal from L’etoile and suggested a sister get-together instead - foiled again! Ben came up with one final plan. Everyone would have dinner then Ben knew Irene would want to go for a walk. The rest of the team would find an excuse to leave and Ben would take Irene down their usual walking path, near a scenic prairie area, with a gorgeous sunset view. What could go wrong? Dinner was delicious, then Kara lied and said her boyfriend, Marc, had to leave for a “work thing”, and it was off to the races! The photo team drove to the proposal spot and hid, unknowingly among lots of prickly plants, but anything for the proposal! Ben and Irene set off on their nightly walk. They were getting closer and closer, but then walked past the hiding spot! With no way to signal Ben, Eagle’s nest began to panic. But wait! Irene pulls Ben to a stop - seeing something odd in the thick of the prairie. “I think there’s someone behind that bush”, Irene says to Ben fearfully, "Wait, is that Marc?" Ben, knowing their cover is blown, drops to one knee and asks Irene to marry him. Irene says yes! Would it really be a Ben and Irene proposal story if something didn’t go hilariously wrong?