Like every good love story, ours started in college - at Carroll College in Helena, Montana, where the motto is “Not for school, but for life.” Spoiler alert: we took that literally. It all began in 2019 at a St. Patrick’s Day House party - not exactly the stuff of fairy tales, but memorable all the same. Hope made the first move, we swapped numbers, but ultimately went our separate ways that night. But come summer, same place, sharing a pack of Blue Moons, the spark officially caught. From late-night ice cream runs to library dates (okay, mostly library dates - Hope practically lived there), we became inseparable. Fast forward eight months and a global pandemic later, we were suddenly long distance: Hope chasing her PhD at Montana State in Bozeman, while Rex was in Helena, playing football and prepping for law school. For three years, we did the Helena-to-Bozeman shuffle - somehow balancing classes, workouts, and Facetime dates. Then Rex got into Gonzaga and moved to Spokane for law school (and he’s been killing it ever since, I mean, are we even surprised?). Despite the distance, we always found a way. FaceTime calls, weekend road trips fueled by takeout and gas station snacks, and the unwavering support of our family and friends kept us going. Through it all, we’ve made it here - stronger, more in love, and ready for what’s next. Along the way, we’ve racked up a lot of stats: countless Carroll football games, two Carroll graduations and four undergrad degrees between us, a PhD, a JD (almost!), thousands of highway miles, and now flights up and down the West Coast. We've road-tripped, country-hopped (hello Canada and Mexico), cheered on friends and lit up the dance floor at their weddings, and celebrated all the big and little moments with each other, the Welhavens, and Irbys. Now, with Rex accepting a federal judicial clerkship after graduation, we’re excited to close the long-distance chapter and move to Boise, Idaho! It’s a new city, a new adventure, and the beginning of our next chapter together. Sure, Carroll cost us a small fortune in tuition (and more than a few early mornings at track and football practices), but it gave us the best thing of all: each other. Our love has been our fire - fueling our dreams, supporting our ambitions, and laying the foundation for the life we’re building together. And now, we can’t wait to celebrate our next chapter with you!