When we first met it was on a Tuesday in August. We both were starting our junior year of college at Clarke University. Taiga was a transfer and was still learning the ropes of the campus while Maggie was a seasoned alumni to the university. When Taiga arrived at his computer business course, he spotted a short haired girl in a bright yellow flannel hunched over an ipad drawing away. Maggie had come a few moments earlier and claimed her seat by the door. In the corner of her eye, she saw Taiga scoot around her to claim the available seat next to her. The pair introduced themselves, Taiga eager to learn more about Maggie, while Maggie thought he looked cute in his glasses. Once their class began it was revealed that the professor would be sorting the students into teams of four. These teams will be working closely together for the entire semester and Taiga knew this was his chance. The professor came around with a deck of cards. All those who pulled the same numbers would be a team. It was luck of the draw and as Maggie pulled her card, Taiga glanced over to see it was an Ace of Spades. Thanks to the professor's lack of awareness, Taiga peaked under the deck. When it was his turn, Taiga pulled out an Ace of Hearts. Maggie and Taiga spent the following semester in and out of class together. They would walk together from class. Study in the common area together. Taiga learned the magic about Midwest flannels and ranch. Maggie learned more about asian cuisine and developed a passion for Japanese fried chicken and eel. They will often debate about what was considered their first date. If you ask Taiga, it was when they got pizza after their first study date. If you ask Maggie, it's when the two went with a group of students to the local Haunted House. Shaking with adrenaline, Maggie held onto Taiga as they braved the horrors though he did let one guy scare her. It's ok though, Maggie isn’t bitter ;) Fast forward, the two got a B+ in on their semester project (Sorry babe), however the two had gotten closer. They spent the summer of 2020 apart but still texted each other frequently and were eager to reunite. It was that summer Taiga suggested Maggie watch the show One Piece and the two embarked on a 5 year binge of the anime. Binding them when they were apart. Since reuniting and graduating from Clarke, Maggie and Taiga chase their career dreams in Dubuque but always make time for each other and others, visiting family and friends all over the United States and Japan. It was on their fourth anniversary that Taiga got down on one knee and asked Maggie to marry him. Of course Maggie said yes. Since that day they continue to grow their family together with their two cats, Sumi (a sassy tuxedo) and Gatsby (a bottomless pit tabby). Who knows what would have happened if Taiga hadn’t pulled that Ace from the deck of cards. Maybe the two would have still dated and ended up together. Taiga didn’t leave that to chance. No. Taiga decided to make his own luck and that's how we all got here today.