By Raika: The first time I spoke to Jackson was after our legal writing class. I had seen him at a "bar review" (bar nights hosted by the law school) the night before, and something in me was itching to get to know him better. We started to talk more and more often--from small talk before our Torts class, to conversations in the library, to study sessions, and eventually, to dates. (I will say, I was the one to ask him out on our first date... but he was the one to ask me to marry him, so I guess we’re even.) As we spent more time together, I began to realize just how incredible Jackson is: a diligent, curious, knowledgeable, hilarious, ambitious, thoughtful, and caring gentleman who always sees the best in people. The more time I spent with him, the more I felt myself gravitating towards his warmth. It was the way he would bring me a whoopie pie from Sweet Mandy B's when I was neck deep in studying; the way he would call an Uber when I couldn’t walk two blocks in my heels; the way he would sacrifice his study time to spend time with me (we all know he likes studying alone). He became my sun. I never wanted to leave his side. Once we began our relationship, Jackson was nothing but supportive. He showed up at every Disability Law Society event I organized, and watched, probably begrudgingly, my trial competitions. He comforted me at my lowest, when I felt insecure and lost. It's no surprise that within three months of us being together, I was sure he was the one. (Proof: I made a Spotify playlist on June 21, 2023, titled, "the one.") Before Northwestern, I joked to my friends that I would find my husband in law school. Truthfully, it was more of a wish. I am so lucky that my wish came true, and I can't wait to spend forever basking in my sun. :) By Jackson: Raika and I had every class together during our first semester of law school. We slowly got to know each other and became better and better friends, until we were studying together almost daily, staying in the library late into the night. Now, if you know me, you know that studying late into the night is not really my activity of choice, and you may be wondering why was I doing this? Well, the answer is Raika. I found my self slowly falling in love with my study buddy, wanting to spend more and more time with her. I knew I could always count on her to make me happy, and every day I looked forward to seeing her. Eventually, we started hanging out outside of school, and, after a few months of being good friends, I knew she was the person I wanted to be with. We started going on dates, and then officially began our relationship in March of 2023. Raika has made the last 3 years of my life the best imaginable. I feel about her like I never knew you could feel about a person, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I have never met someone so simultaneously beautiful, funny, kind, goofy, smart, and loving. Raika is my best friend, and I can’t wait for her to also be my wife.