Their story began, like so many great ones do, in college at Grand Valley State University. Though their paths had likely crossed before, it wasn’t until the summer of Will’s junior year that everything truly began. That summer, Will started working in Grand Valley’s dispatch department, where Sydney was the head dispatcher—and his trainer. What started as a simple introduction quickly turned into something easy and familiar. They shared similar friend groups, which meant they weren’t just seeing each other at work, but in everyday life as well. Somewhere along the way, they discovered a small but memorable commonality: neither of them had ever watched Game of Thrones. With the help of a friend and a stack of DVDs, they decided to start the series together. It was simple—just two friends watching a show. But as episodes turned into seasons, and seasons into routine, they began spending more and more time together. They learned each other’s quirks, built inside jokes, and found comfort in each other’s presence, all without putting a label on it. When Will moved downtown to be closer to work, Sydney was there helping him and his roommates move in. As fate would have it, Sydney had also moved in with Will’s former roommates, bringing them even closer into each other’s daily lives. Their time together became effortless—whether it was continuing their Game of Thrones tradition or just stopping by to spend time together. Then came the night that quietly changed everything. At Will’s housewarming party—one Sydney had helped plan—the two found themselves just outside the doorway, away from the noise. In a moment of curiosity, Will said, “I wonder what it would be like to kiss you.” Without hesitation, Sydney replied, “You should do it then.” And so he did. What felt like a small, spontaneous moment marked the beginning of something new—at least for Will, who was still catching up to what everyone else seemed to already know. The next morning, over breakfast, Will laughed it off—“Haha, we kissed last night”—as if it were nothing more than a funny moment. But something had shifted. As time went on, that shift became impossible to ignore. Later that summer, after leaving a house party with friends, Sydney asked the question that had been waiting beneath the surface: “So, what are we?” Will hesitated, torn between protecting their friendship and stepping into something more. “I really love our friendship, and I don’t want to compromise that,” he said. “But I don’t know if I’m ready for a relationship.” Sydney, with honesty and conviction, responded, “I want to be with you. And if you don’t want that, that’s okay—but I need to know. I’m not looking to be strung along.” Her words brought clarity to a moment that needed it. “Well,” Will said, “when you put it that way… let’s just try it and see where it goes.” And so they did. What began as a simple “let’s see” turned into something lasting. Nearly ten years later, they’ve built a life together rooted in growth, laughter, and love. Along the way, they took on one of life’s greatest shared adventures—raising their dog, Lola, who quickly became a central part of their story. From coworkers to friends, from friends to something more, their journey has been shaped by small, meaningful moments that led to something extraordinary. And as they look ahead to the next chapter, one thing is certain—the best is still yet to come.