As many good love stories do, ours began purely by chance. Despite having both started at the University of Oklahoma in the Fall of 2017, we would not meet until the following Fall. Emma entered Room 311 of Carnegie Hall to be interviewed for the Integrity Council, and, as luck would have it, Peter happened to be leading the interviews that afternoon. Thirty minutes of questioning later, Peter knew that Emma would be a perfect match for the organization. Little did he know, Emma would similarly be a perfect match for him as well. Emma’s dependability and motivation would mesh flawlessly with Peter's passion and dedication. Several years would pass with Emma and Peter working together on various activities, and a friendship would slowly form. Finally, after years of casual conversations and mutual respect for one another, Peter would work up the courage to ask Emma out on a date in April of 2022. One bowl of carbonara later, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Our lives have been incalculably shaped by so many wonderful people, some who are still with us, and others who have passed on. Peter would like to thank and recognize his siblings, Mag and Rob; his parents, Terri and Phil; his sister-in-law, Veronica; his grandparents, Granny (Donis), Curtis, Grandad (Bob), Poppy (Louie), Grammy (Anna), and Donelle; his friends Hudson, Eileah, Jerrid, Vicki, Lexi, Katie, Kellie, Tristan, and the many others in the OU Department of Political Science; the Wood/Ward clan (Austin, Georgia, Summer, Terry, Elise, Guppy, Tony, Sam); his many (great) uncles, (great) aunts, and cousins; his in-laws-to-be, Sandy and Robert; and of course, Emma, the love of his life. Emma would like to thank and recognize her parents, Rob and Sandy, for their unwavering love and support; her Aunty Amy for her inspiring creativity and compassion; her Aunt Shari and Uncle Tom for always being excited for her accomplishments and next steps; her friends Elise and Lexi for their great advice and good times; her many pets throughout her life who have given all their love; and of course, Peter, the best thing that ever happened to Emma.