We met in September 2019 — Emma's first year and Kelly's second year at Mount Holyoke College. It was basically love at first sight, but there was a silly student-made "rule" that relationships between first years and other students were not allowed before November 1st. This "November Rule" was meant to allow time for first year students to adjust and acclimate to college before becoming involved in relationships with older students. Despite being only 7 months apart, we talked in secret to avoid judgement from peers for breaking the "November Rule". We eventually got sick of this and went on our first date in October. Kelly asked Emma to be her girlfriend on November 1st, and the rest is history.

Emma had been planning a proposal for months, but ruined the surprise when her plans popped up on her computer screen which she and Kelly were looking at. Kelly then took matters into her own hands and proposed to Emma in the woods where we were enjoying a picnic — just like our first date. Emma proposed to Kelly a few weeks later with a speech made up of Taylor Swift lyrics. We celebrated over a rainy, but lovely weekend in Bar Harbor.