Michael Anne and Patrick met in 2017 as Columbia undergrads in the physics TA help room, quickly became close and eventually started dating. Over the years, they tackled tough engineering courses, explored NYC, adventured to places like Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and navigated COVID in a fifth-floor walkup apartment in Washington Heights. From chaotic sublets, to adopting each other’s families, hiking in Spain together, and long-distance grad school stints their bond only grew stronger. In December 2022, on the coldest day of the year, Patrick proposed—and since then, they’ve moved to California, went to Disneyland, changed jobs and grad schools a few times, and ran a half marathon, with plenty of detours, love, and laughter along the way.