We first met and got to know each other through Yorkville High School cross country and track. In the summer of 2015 during a team camping trip to Wisconsin where we spent a day exploring Devils Lake State Park. This time marked the beginning of our journey together, and we officially started dating in October of 2015. Following high school, both of us attended the University of Illinois for our undergraduate studies. After graduation, we returned to Yorkville for several months where Matt began his career as a software engineer and Piper worked as a veterinary assistant. We then moved in together in August 2022 when we returned to Champaign-Urbana for Piper to start veterinary school. In February 2023, we added a member to our family when we adopted our cat, Ube. On July 5th, 2024, we revisited Devils Lake State Park with both of our families, where Matt proposed to Piper. As we look forward to the future, Piper is set to complete school in May 2026. During this time, we will be preparing for our wedding, moving, and embarking on Piper’s new career as a doctor. Over the years, we have cherished our time together at cross country spaghetti dinners, game nights with friends, camping trips, family vacations, Fighting Illini sports events, golfing, cooking, and cozy video gaming nights in.