I first met Marina (unofficially) during a kickball tournament at Kent State when I plowed a girl over while scoring a run, right in front of Marina. Fast forward a few months to August 2017. I started working a new job at a desk on campus and officially met Marina, along with 7 other girls who worked there (I was the only boy). Thanks to our dear friend Cara, Marina and I were scheduled to work together most shifts. We quickly became close friends and I always looked forward to working with her. A crush was definitely starting to develop. I even got Marina a gift for Sweetest Day, but she assumed I got one for all of the girls at the desk... Marina was preparing to study abroad in Italy during the Spring semester, so I knew I needed to make a move before Winter Break. With the help of my college housemates, I finally had the courage to ask her out. Thankfully, she said yes and shortly before Winter Break, we had our first date (even though she didn’t know it was a “date”). And a few weeks later I told Marina that I liked her. Thankfully, Marina gave in and we started dating during finals week. Luckily, when Marina returned from Italy, she still liked me. As the summer went on and we grew as a couple, I knew Marina was special. Even after experiencing two Taylor Swift Concerts with her. During our 14 hour drive to Orlando and our trip to Disney World, I realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. Over the next few years, my realization stayed true. As I learned more and more about Marina and spent more time with her, I knew I was going to love her forever. Marina, I look forward to spending forever with you.

In the summer of 2017, I moved back to Kent State two weeks early to train for the desk job I was returning to. During training, I was introduced to the new desk staff which was made up of all girls and one boy, Nick. Over the next semester, Nick and I worked many long and late-night shifts together that always consisted of singing Taylor Swift, watching Disney movies, and ending the night with Nick driving me home. At the end of that first semester working with Nick, he had become one of my best friends. I looked forward to shifts with him and hanging out with our staff but I was more excited to study abroad the next semester. One winter day Nick asked me out to dinner which was nothing out of the ordinary for us so I agreed. The next day, I was informed by our boss that I was going on a date with him! I was leaving for Italy in a month what was I supposed to do? Start dating someone right before I leave the country for 5 months? And that is exactly what happened. Over the past few years, Nick and I have grown closer than I ever imagined. We’ve been lucky enough to spend countless weekends making amazing meals, going to the lake, meeting up with friends, and going on trips. I am so lucky to be marrying my best friend!