Zach and Jamie’s story began in the spring of 2017, just as their freshman year at Framingham State University was wrapping up. What they assumed would be a casual friendship began to feel like something more that summer—especially the day Jamie brought Zach to her family’s beloved Mayflower Beach. One sunny afternoon of sand, waves, and endless conversation was all it took to start something special. When sophomore year rolled around, fate clearly had a sense of humor—they discovered their dorm rooms were right across the hall from each other (and no, they promise it wasn’t planned!). By October 2017, they made it official. From late-night study sessions to early morning classes, they became each other’s biggest cheerleaders—growing not just as a couple, but as two people ready to take on whatever came next. College brought its fair share of highs and lows, but through every paper, exam, and challenge, they stood side by side. In 2020, as graduation neared, the world shifted with the onset of COVID-19. Distance suddenly became a hurdle, yet they navigated it with patience, endless FaceTime calls, and a whole lot of love. That spring, they proudly graduated virtually—grateful to have weathered it all together. Over the years, their shared adventures and all the little moments in between have been woven with everything from spontaneous dinner dates and cozy weekend escapes to Dunkin' coffee runs and silly little inside jokes. Mayflower Beach continued to remain a significant place for Jamie and Zach, as they would take day trips and Zach would join the Ekstrom family at the cottage every year. And, it was there at Mayflower Beach, on July 26, 2024, that Zach got down on one knee and asked Jamie the question she’d been waiting for. (Spoiler: she said yes!) That “yes” set everything into motion. After years of living with their families, dreaming big, and saving for the future, they took the next leap—moving into their first apartment together in May 2025, ready to start their new chapter side by side. Now, they can’t wait to celebrate that chapter (and all the ones to come) with the people who have been cheering them on from the very beginning.