As it often goes for two Georgia Tech Industrial Engineers, Sydney and Will first crossed paths in the spring of 2019 during their Stochastic Manufacturing & Service Systems class. Will, a third-year student at the time, was diligently working his network of friends (a.k.a. trying to find someone smarter than him) to help with his homework. Sydney, a second-year, had no trouble with the class herself—what she needed was help of a different kind: access to standby flights. Her sorority big (and future bridesmaid, Kristen Szalkowski) had generously looped her into the Delta Air Lines flight benefits she earned from her co-op, but Sydney still needed someone to work the magic on the portal. Enter Will: not only a Delta co-op but also a convenient solution to Sydney's flight dilemma. With a little matchmaking from their mutual friend (and future groomsman) Jay Middleton, a deal was struck. Will got the homework help, and Sydney got the Delta flight portal access. And thus, a partnership was formed—one that would take them far beyond solving stochastic equations.

Over a number of months, Sydney and Will’s arrangement continued seamlessly. They made the most of their flight benefits, embarking on all sorts of adventures—often together with friends—to places like San Francisco, Denver, and Fort Lauderdale. Their friendship grew beyond the classroom, with the two often spotted together at football games and Greek life events. Sydney, however, was in another relationship at the time. Still, Will managed to align his class schedule with hers (no surprise there—he still needed her expertise in Statistical Methods). Eventually, the stars aligned: Sydney became single, and Will had one last chance to make use of his Delta flight benefits before his co-op ended. The destination? The Big Island of Hawaii. Between days of swimming with manta rays, sipping mai tais, and constantly getting asked if they were honeymooners, Sydney and Will started to wonder if maybe there was more to their friendship than homework exchanges and flight deals. The two remained close for the rest of their time at Georgia Tech, but it wasn’t until Will’s fifth year that he finally made his move. He asked Sydney on an official date to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Sydney, mildly surprised (and a little confused as to why it took him so long), needed a bit of convincing. But ultimately, she said yes—and from that point on, they’ve been together.

After college, Sydney and Will embraced the challenge of a long-distance relationship as they left Atlanta to chase exciting new opportunities. Will embarked on a 15-month adventure, hopping between training rotations in Columbus, New York City, and San Diego. Meanwhile, Sydney finally had her chance to live full-time in her beloved state of Michigan, close to family. For Will, this period meant learning the joys of driving in snow, lugging laundry to Manhattan laundromats, and catching Georgia Tech football games bright and early at 9 AM Pacific Time. For Sydney, it meant soaking up beautiful days on the lake, enjoying fresh apples from the local cider mill, and becoming the very proud owner of her celebrity kitten, Rocky the Siberian. After countless skymiles earned and many long phone calls, Will’s rotations finally ended. Shockingly, he convinced Sydney that moving to New York City for a fresh start would be a great new adventure. The two settled into their current apartment in Gowanus, Brooklyn—complete with the ultimate NYC luxury: an in-unit washer and dryer (a major upgrade from the laundromat days!). Along for the ride was Rocky the Siberian, who quickly became Will’s new best friend and their unofficial third roommate.

On May 25, 2024, Will whisked Sydney away for a surprise weekend escape from the city. They rented a car and meandered through charming beach towns along the north shore of Long Island, spending the day sampling treats from local bakeries and savoring oysters by the water. As the sun began to set, they made their way to a beautiful vineyard for dinner. While they waited for their table, a house photographer approached them at the bar, offering to take a few free photos out among the scenic vineyard hills. Will initially declined, mentioning a “concern” about missing their reservation. Sydney, a bit puzzled, insisted they take advantage of the photo op, and the two strolled into the vines for pictures. Just as the photographer was wrapping up, Will dropped to one knee and asked Sydney to marry him. Unbeknownst to her, the entire event was planned from the moment they sat at the bar. Sydney played her part in the script perfectly, and the photographer captured every moment of their joyful surprise. After the proposal, they celebrated with fine wines, cheeses, and smiles, eventually sharing the exciting news with friends and family—thrilled to start this new chapter surrounded by the people they love.