Drew and Marie-Louise met at Michigan State University in the spring of 2015. Their first date was at a local coffee shop near campus. One month later, Marie-Louise departed for a summer study abroad program in Tours, France. Drew spontaneously visited her for the fourth of July weekend! Following his graduation from MSU in 2016, Drew moved to Indianapolis for an engineering role. Marie-Louise headed to Columbus in the fall of 2017 to pursue a master's degree in genetic counseling. Their time was shared between their cities - exploring the restaurant scene, summer camping trips (and later winter camping), and visiting their friends and family. In 2019, Marie-Louise moved back to Michigan, with Drew returning to Michigan as well the following year.

In the winter of 2021, Marie-Louise joined Drew for a week in the charming town of Annecy, France. They browsed local markets, drank spiced wine, and made local friends! Marie-Louise returned to France in the spring of 2022, for a weeklong trip with her sister, Julia, and mother, Michelle. Drew joined the Henry's in Paris for a croissant making class. He and Marie-Louise then took a train southeast, back to Annecy. Their second morning, Drew invited Marie-Louise for a bike ride along the lake (Lac d'Annecy). After a beautiful ride through rolling hills and along the lakeshore, they stopped in a nearby town called Duignt. Drew had come prepared - he walked Marie-Louise to a peer overlooking the nearby mountains, laid out a blanket and picnic, and casually asked if they could take photos. The camera continued to shoot as Drew proposed. The happy couple celebrated with a bottle of champagne! They were joined later in the week by their friends, Allie and John. They went on to attend an Olympique de Marseille match, biked the entirety of Lac d'Annecy, and enjoyed the sunny days of early summertime in France.