Talia and Mike's journey began at Bates College, where they first crossed paths in the Math-Stats Workshop. Fate played its role when Talia sought Mike's help with her calculus homework. This encounter led them to discover their homes in New Jersey were just a short 20-minute drive apart. The more they talked, the more they realized how their lives had intertwined without them even knowing, from shared beach days to soccer matches and even science camps. It was remarkable how many times they crossed paths without meeting, leading to Mikes joke, "he only had to travel 400 miles to meet a girl from Monmouth County". Their connection deepened during a Halloween party Freshman year, which ultimately led to the idea of driving home together for Thanksgiving break. Countless hours spent navigating traffic transformed into laughter-filled journeys, heartfelt singing, and a bond that continued to flourish leading up to this special time.