Michael Lundy and Danielle Marks were always meant to be. Anyone who knew them—teachers, friends, random people who happened to witness their constant tomfoolery—could see it from a mile away. Their story started way back in second grade, when they were just two little kids with no idea they were about to spend the rest of their lives together. But even then, something was there. Call it fate, call it childhood intuition—whatever it was, it never faded. By middle school, the crushes were undeniable. Did they admit it? Absolutely not. Instead, they spent their time side-eyeing each other in class and finding excuses to “casually” be in the same place at the same time. On September 26, 2014, Michael officially asked Danielle to be his girlfriend. She said yes so fast that physics textbooks may need to be rewritten. In high school, they finally figured it out. Both percussionists, both geeks, both completely obsessed with each other—it was only a matter of time. They spent every possible moment together, whether it was playing their hearts out in rehearsals, going to concerts, or fiercely battling each other academically (Danielle won more often. Michael will take this to his grave.) A popular French teacher confidently declared, “Vous finirez ensemble.” (Translation: I know true love when I see it, and you two are doomed—uh, I mean, destined—forever.) And then, life threw them a challenge: long distance. Michael went off to Virginia Tech while Danielle stayed home for school, and suddenly, they were those people—constantly FaceTiming, planning visits, and sending each other way too many music recommendations at all hours of the night. It wasn’t easy, but it was never a question of if they would make it. They were Michael and Danielle. Of course they would. When the long-distance chapter ended, their adventures only got better. They worked together, traveled together, and kept going to concerts like it was their full-time job. And after ten years—ten whole years of love, laughter, and far too many Magic: The Gathering decks—Michael decided it was time to make it official. On September 26, 2024, their tenth anniversary, both sick with CoVID, Michael told Danielle her anniversary present was hidden in his car. She had to use her detective skills to find a small box. Inside that small box was a ring. In his words, “This is the ring.” Now, they’re getting ready to do the thing everyone always knew they would—get married on their eleventh anniversary. Eleven years, countless memories, and one epic love story later, Michael and Danielle are still exactly who they’ve always been: two nerds, madly in love, ready to take on forever.