It all started back in 2019 at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, when we were both Resident Assistants in Brophy/McNerney Hall. Melina was a seasoned second-year RA, and Zak was the new guy on staff. The very first night we met was at an intro dinner for the incoming RAs. A group of us went out to Applebee’s, and Zak ended up carpooling with Melina. The first thing he noticed when he got into her car? A hot pink flamingo beer bong casually sitting in the back seat. Despite this unforgettable first impression, we didn’t fall in love right away. In fact, for the first year of knowing each other, we weren’t even close friends, just two RAs making rounds and hosting floor programs. It wasn’t until two years later that things shifted. At a college party, one of Melina’s friends pointed out, “You know… Zak is actually kind of cute.” Melina had to admit, she agreed, and from that moment, she couldn’t help but see him differently. From there, we spent our senior year of college with a growing crush on each other, but it wasn’t until after graduation that we made it official. In June of 2021, Zak asked Melina to be his girlfriend in the most romantic of places: the prairie dog exhibit at the Detroit Zoo. She said yes, of course, and the adventure officially began. From there, life only got better. We moved into our first house in Grand Rapids in October 2023, got engaged in August 2025, and now we’re here - ready to celebrate the best decision we ever made: carpooling to Applebee’s.