It was 2017 and Zoë was in her Freshmen year at the University of Cincinnati. She was watercoloring with one of her best friends, EJ Dohring when the new incoming class of their small program (we will say CCM for easy reference) had been accepted. From the instant EJ showed Zoë a picture of Ethan, a rising freshman, she had a crush. Fast forward a couple months and Ethan still hadn’t committed to CCM. Zoë took it upon herself to ask if Ethan had any questions he needed answered regarding the school. Ethan, who has a brother Adam, who attended CCM, already knew everything there was to know about the school. He played dumb and asked Zoë questions just to get a chance to talk to her. Luckily for Zoë, Ethan enrolled to CCM for the Fall. Zoë was crushing hard on this boy she knew nothing about, and spent the summer of 2017 backpacking through Europe daydreaming. She had a giddy, gut feeling about this person, but didn’t quite know what it meant. All she knew was she wanted to be his girlfriend. Coincidentally, Ethan was having a Euro summer with his Aunt Momo following a similar route. Always a city or biergarten behind each other sharing their journeys, the two felt an immediate bond as if something was pulling them together. Fast forward to the Fall semester, Zoë moves into her new apartment with her girlfriends, and Ethan arrives on campus. That day, Zoe and her friends decide to throw an impromptu party and invite members of the incoming class, most notably Ethan. Once they meet in person, the attraction is powerful and immediate. Zoe and Ethan fall hard and fast. The first kiss comes day 3, after flirting over starbursts and talking for hours over a coffee, and mutual “I love you’s” come day 30. The rest, as they say is history. They spent college attached at the hip giggling, running around Cincinnati, performing together in CCM and summer shows, and spent spring breaks traveling across the country. COVID came along at the end of Zoë’s Senior year and Ethan’s Junior year, so they drove to Florida to quarantine with Ethan’s family. The Zeph’s embraced Zoë as their own and the feeling was mutual for her. The rest of the summer was spent with the Grolnick’s in Colorado where Ethan spent weeks hiking, cooking, playing with dogs, and laughing with his new found family. Fall 2020, it was time for Ethan to return for his Senior year, and Zoë made the move to NYC for a year of long distance. This year required so much patience, as seeing each other with COVID regulations was a challenge. FaceTime dates and sweet “Good Morning” texts would be the highlights of their days. They found new ways to grow their relationship, with trips to visit each other in NYC and Cincinnati that were all the more special. In May of 2021, Ethan graduated and they moved into Apartment #3L on the Upper West Side. Over the past four years, Zoë and Ethan grew immensely in that little apartment they call home. They adopted a sweet pup named Maple who filled their home with barks and kisses. They kept each other safe, navigating the ups and downs of careers in theatre, growing older in a big city. They worked hard to be the best versions of themselves. Zoë reminds Ethan to live life to the fullest and push past his comfort zone. Ethan grounds Zoë and reminds her that she can do anything she puts her mind to. January 5th, 2025: Ethan proposed to Zoë in Central Park right next to their home. Maple was there as well as their siblings and partners, and their dear friend Sam was able to capture the moment. A magical day, followed by an unforgettable trip to Thailand to celebrate. Now, they are planning the next chapter of their life: MAWWIAGE!! They need your help celebrating next year. How about… June 27th, 2026??