How we first met: Ike and Maggie first met in July 2017 during a Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) conference at the snack table during a break. Maggie said hello to Ike and asked him what snack he was waiting for, to which he replied, “Rice Krispies”. Maggie told him she was waiting for the popcorn, and Ike responded dryly, “That’s cool…” At the time, Maggie was unaware that Ike wasn’t a fan of unnecessary small talk – she instead made a mental note that “this nerd in an MIT zip-up doesn’t know how to talk”. Fast-forward to October 2017, Ike and Maggie met again at Explore Wharton (a prospective MBA event). The two were at a party and Maggie saw Ike across the room talking (yes, talking!) to another girl. Once Ike finished up the conversation, Maggie walked up to him and bluntly asked, “You’re not gonna ask me for MY number?!” He laughed and they flirted a bit (he found her boldness very attractive). They exchanged numbers, but didn’t end up texting much because Maggie lived in New York and Ike lived in Atlanta. #MyWharton: As fate would have it, both Ike and Maggie were accepted to Wharton and moved to Philadelphia in July 2018 to attend an event for incoming Black students. Ike hadn’t moved into his apartment yet, so coincidentally, the night before the event he ended up crashing on the couch in a house Maggie shared with four other classmates. When Ike arrived that evening, Maggie was surprised to see him since she hadn’t heard from him since October. Naturally, she started a conversation with him, but this time they went on to talk for several hours – about their experiences as Black engineers at MIT and UPenn, his upbringing in Houston, her upbringing in Queens, his misconception that all New York kids hang out on stoops and play in vacant lots (from watching Hey Arnold! on Nickelodeon), and her misconception that all Texans hate on New Yorkers lol. Maggie was glad Ike was finally talking and Ike was glad they got past the small talk. From Philly to DC: Ike and Maggie were virtually inseparable during the first year of school. They spent lots of time studying and doing homework (Ike was Maggie's personal tutor), prepping for interviews (Ike revamped her resume), walking back from campus (Ike was very chivalrous), cooking (Maggie enjoyed cooking Ike dinner), watching TV (Maggie normally napped), and of course, partying together (#WhartonTV). They went on as “just friends” until their second year when Ike was spending a semester at Harvard Kennedy School for his dual degree. In this brief time apart, they realized they had to stop playing games because they both clearly loved and missed each other. So, they started officially dating on October 5th, 2019. That semester, Ike would visit during big Wharton party weekends and they would go on dates to Maggie’s favorite Philly brunch spots. After multiple international trips, a global pandemic, and Wharton graduation later, Maggie and Ike moved to DC together in March 2021. Maggie started working while Ike finished up his Harvard degree remotely. DC was love – Ike took an interest in designing their first apartment, Maggie filled it with a growing collection of plants, and the two enjoyed hosting friends and parties. In May 2022, they purchased their first home. Engaged! On September 4th, 2022, Ike and Maggie threw a housewarming party to celebrate the milestone. In the most wonderful way to end the night, Ike proposed to Maggie who nearly jumped off the roof in excitement – she literally took 5 minutes to come back to earth while Ike patiently waited on one knee! The night was truly magical as they warmed their home with love, surrounded by family and friends 😊 Ike and Maggie are so excited to get married and celebrate with you all as they enter their next phase together as husband and wife ❤️