Alex (then a sophomore at Penn State University) messaged Sydney (then a freshman) on Tinder. The two decided to meet up at party on Halloween weekend. Unfortunately, Sydney got stuck in an elevator the same night, and was late to the party. She wasn’t able to get in. Alex invited her to his fraternity’s after party. The two stayed up all night talking, and Alex invited her to the ZBT house for the fraternity’s Halloween party the following night. Alex and Sydney spent the next week together, and on November 6th, Alex asked her to be his girlfriend. The two continued dating and during his junior year, Alex decided to study abroad in Ireland. Sydney was also not at their beloved school due to her knee surgery. Sadly, the pandemic cut Alex’s trip short. The two spent many nights on FaceTime and virtual dates. Upon returning to campus the following fall, the pandemic was still in full swing. Alex and Sydney often took walks together and met for picnics at the alumni center. The alumni center is a hiden oasis on Penn State’s campus. With gardens, a gazebo, lots of green space and a duck pond, it was the perfect place for a social distanced date. Alex graduated in Beaver Stadium and attended law school at Michigan State University. Sydney stayed at Penn State following her graduation to attend graduate school. The two did long distance while they finished up their schooling. On October 14th, 2023, the two families went up to Penn State for a football weekend. It was Sharon’s (Sydney’s mother) first game and Sydney was very excited to show her a weekend of fun. Mother nature had other plans. The two families tailgated in the rain. Alex told Sydney he wanted to take a walk (a mile and a half walk) to the alumni center to look at an alumni brick as a potential gift for his parents. Sydney protested, explaining how far the walk was and that she didn’t want to leave her mom. Reluctantly and angrily, she followed Alex and together they made the trek over. They met up with Alex’s brother, Zack, and Zack’s girlfriend, Anu. They paused at Old Main (another Penn State landmark) so Sydney could take a picture. Alex was going to change his plan and propose there. He asked Sydney to take a picture and she said no, determined to get to the alumni center. Sydney started to complain to Anu about the walk and the rain. The four made it to the alum center. Sydney continued telling Anu about the walk and rain. She turned around and her mood immediately changed. Alex was down on one knee asking her to marry him. Alex proposed after almost 5 years of dating. The two now live in the Columbus area with their orange tabby, Tater Tot, and their German Shepherd, Theo.