Tom and I first crossed paths at St. Ambrose University in a marketing class, one that he hadn’t even planned to take. I had just transferred in for my junior year and had no idea I was about to meet the love of my life. The first time we met, Tom was on crutches from a football injury and asked to sit next to me because his laptop had "supposedly" died. We spent the entire class side by side but barely spoke. Weeks went by before he finally reached out, and although we kept seeing each other around campus, it wasn’t until Winter Break that we reconnected and really started getting to know one another. When we returned to campus, we quickly became inseparable. Tom asked me to be his girlfriend on October 9, 2020, and from then on, we spent our remaining time at St. Ambrose making memories, blending friend groups, and enjoying every moment together before graduating in May 2021. After graduation, we moved to Dubuque and started our first home together in an apartment. Those years were filled with so much growth, laughter, and adventure. Then, in July 2024, we returned to my hometown of Sycamore, IL where we continued building our future together. On August 23, 2025, Tom proposed at sunset on the beach on Anna Maria Island, FL and I said the easiest “yes!” of my life. Not long after, we built our dream home and settled into this exciting new chapter of life. Now, we can’t wait to celebrate our love with all of you on May 14, 2027!