Forever & Always

Laramie just switched schools and was eagerly waiting for marching band practice to begin. She played clarinet and was excited to meet new people in their sectional practice sessions. It was during one of those sessions that she met Collin, another clarinet player. Collin, friendly and easygoing, asked to borrow her tuner, and they quickly became friends. They often found themselves sitting next to each other during rehearsals and even marching side by side in the parade. Over time, their friendship grew, and on December 7th, 2019, they went on their first date. The pandemic tested many relationships, but Laramie and Collin stayed close, keeping in touch through FaceTime and text messages. As the time for college approached, Laramie made a bold decision: she would follow Collin to Pittsburgh, where he was attending Pittsburgh Technical College. She enrolled at Carlow University, just 30 minutes away from him. Their relationship continued to grow, and on their third anniversary, they took the next step by moving in together. Their home quickly became a lively one when they adopted an energetic orange cat named Wrath. Not long after, they added a calmer tuxedo cat, Clementine, to balance out the chaos. But Laramie wasn’t done yet. She convinced Collin to let her adopt a tarantula, and soon enough, they had a palm-sized pink-toe tarantula named Charlotte—named after the famous movie, of course. The couple's growing menagerie became a reflection of their quirky and adventurous spirit. During this time, Laramie realized that her college path wasn’t quite right for her. She struggled to stay engaged in her studies and lacked passion for her chosen field. With Collin’s unwavering support, she decided to switch gears and pursue a new career. In 2024, Laramie graduated from the Veterinary Technician Institute and passed her certification exam. While in school, Laramie formed a special bond with a kennel dog named Poppy, whom she worked with during her studies in radiology. When it came time for the dogs at the kennel to be adopted, Laramie knew she couldn’t let Poppy go. She applied to adopt her and brought the sweet dog home in February 2024. Poppy was given the name Milliamperage, inspired by a setting on an X-ray machine, though they affectionately call her Millie. Over the past five years, they have faced loss, financial struggles, and illness, yet through it all, their love has only grown stronger. Together, they've shared moments of pure joy, unforgettable adventures, and a deep connection that words can hardly capture. Through every challenge and triumph, they have stood by each other, hand in hand, their hearts unwavering. In the face of adversity, their love has been a constant—a beautiful reminder that no matter what life brings, they are meant to weather it together, forever side by side. On their fifth anniversary, Laramie thought they would spend the day as they always did—Christmas shopping and a nice dinner. But Collin had something else planned. He surprised her with a trip to the Pittsburgh overlook, where he proposed. Overwhelmed with joy, Laramie said yes. Today, Laramie is a certified veterinary technician at Seven Fields Veterinary Hospital, helping animals every day. Collin graduated from Pittsburgh Technical College in 2022 and now works as an IT professional at Next7IT. Together, they continue building their life, side by side, with their growing family of pets and the promise of many more adventures to come.