Just like any other boy going off to college, Matthew had hoped to get out there and "explore his options." However, that was not the case. Abigail snatched him within a few weeks of his freshman year. We started talking around Abigail's birthday in August of 2017. At that time, Matthew was too afraid to text, so we had to settle with communicating via Snapchat (we still have a pretty long snap streak going). We went to parties, hung out in groups and just got to know one another. Time passed and we finally upgraded to exchanging phone numbers. Like many college couples ...we started officially dating at a college party. Having similar interests was a bonus. We were both on the gymnastics team at the University of Illinois – Chicago (UIC), which made it easy. We had the same group of friends, the same hectic practice schedule and we understood the challenges. Who was the better athlete? That is, still to this day, up for debate but we always celebrated one another's successes. (We are still gym buddies but our workouts have changed!) Time continued on, we did our crazy college shenanigans, went to parties, traveled and competed almost every weekend but still somehow managed to squeeze in our studies (well, one of us). Just like any relationship, it was not always easy. Gymnastics and workouts took priority, school became more time consuming, and personal interests seemed to get in the way. Although it was hard to swallow, we both thought maybe this was not meant to be and it might be better to just remain teammates and friends. With Matt going home to Oklahoma and Abby staying in Chicago, we had a summer to ourselves --- to reflect on our accomplishments, our future ambitions and to determine if we really were a good match. Toward the end of that summer, Abby received a text from Matt simply stating "I miss my best friend." It was at that point that we knew there was something special about the love that we share. Abigail tried to play hard to get but with a personality and spirit like the one Matthew had, it did not take long for him to win back her heart. After a few more years we finished our academic and athletic careers and thought "crap, it is time for the real world." Abby landed a successful job with Thermo Fisher Scientific as a Project Manager and Matt got a great position as a gymnastics coach in the Chicago suburbs. Little did we know, that our work buildings would be RIGHT across the street from one another. Ironic and maybe fate?? The timing was perfect, everything continued to fall into place and we purchased a townhouse. Well, it did not take long before we moved on to bigger and better things . . . literally. We bought a house with a fenced-in yard for our "baby". Miller is a rough and tumble mutt who has truly been a big blessing in both of our lives and has brought us closer. Since we work opposite schedules, Miller is a constant companion for both of us and definitely fills the void. During an overcast and slightly rainy day sailing on Lake Michigan, Matthew decided to make things official. We braved the weather and drank mimosas. Once Matt pulled out the ring, the sky got brighter and the sun came out for the rest of the day. Not a bad start to the next chapter. What do we have in store for the future? That's a good question. Perhaps a bigger family but we hope to fill all our days with love and sunshine. Stay tuned...