We met in 2016 when we were randomly assigned as flatmates in a four-person apartment (Apartment G3) in post-graduate housing at the Queen’s University Belfast. We were both at Queen’s to pursue our Master’s degrees—Bryan in Software Development and Lauren in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice. After months of dinners around our kitchen table, movie nights, and road trips, Bryan made a move: he bought Lauren a Claddagh ring. Unfortunately, Lauren did not know this was a move, so, a few months after that, Bryan left nothing up for misinterpretation and explicitly asked Lauren on a date. We went to a local bar, the Empire, and watched a stand-up comedy show followed by drinks and live music by the Discobeards. From then on, we continued to have dinners around our kitchen table, movie nights, and road trips, except we were a couple, and it was amazing. In July, Lauren moved back to the U.S. for law school, and, without hesitation, we began our long distance relationship. Bryan took his first trip ever to the U.S. that September, and we continued to fly back and forth to one another for the next 3 years. Bryan drove Lauren over the entire island of Ireland and brought her to beautiful castles, amazing beaches, and outstanding cliffs. Lauren brought Bryan to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware and showed Bryan the Schuylkill River, Brew Haha, and, Bryan’s favorite, “the 202.” Needless to say, Bryan will be moving to the U.S. to be with Lauren shortly.

On January 2, 2020, Bryan took Lauren to Lough Key Forest Park, the McDermott ancestral home, and, overlooking the water, he got down on one knee. Lauren screamed, “YES!” And now we cannot wait to get married on July 1, 2022! It was not always easy, but it was always worth it. We are looking forward to being back on the same continent and living our lives as flatmates-in-love!

Dear Family & Friends, We want to thank you so much for all of the thoughtful gifts we have already received for our wedding. We are looking forward to opening our gifts when we are together on the same continent, so we plan to formally thank each of you individually after our wedding. We apologize for the delayed acknowledgement, and we thank you so much for your patience and understanding.