OUR STORY
as told by Bryan
Love stories often start with a lightning strike, but ours? Picture Cupid on a tricycle – slow, goofy, and zigzagging through unexpected turns.
Anne Marie and I stumbled into each other's lives during the rush events for Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi), the business fraternity where everyone rushing was a 2-week-old Freshman unsure what exactly they were competing for. Surprisingly, we both snagged spots among the final 38 from the initial 180 hopefuls. Little did we know that this fraternity wouldn't just be the breeding ground for future business leaders but also a hotbed for unexpected romances (and no, we weren't the only ones).
Unplanned yet a pleasant surprise, Anne Marie and I both applied and were accepted to the study abroad program in Dublin, Ireland our junior year. My posse of 8 guys and her crew of 8 ladies in Dublin turned into a squad of merry Americans, stumbling from pub to pub, attempting to get "cultured." Thanks to our Wednesday-only class schedules, we jet-setted to new countries weekly, savoring the scents of Paris, dancing till sunrise in Barcelona, swimming through Portugal's private beaches, and indulging in wienerschnitzel in Germany. Somewhere amid these adventures, one of us started catching more than just flights.
I ended up living with 5 other guys from this AKPsi my sophomore year, an apartment building Anne Marie would frequent as she lived a block away and had many friends here. She often came over to snack on Domino's pizza, located on the first floor, and would seek help with her Accounting 100 material. We continued to grow closer along with our other friends through the late nights studying, watching dumb YouTube videos, and many Miller Lites consumed.
Senior year rolled in with priorities like hitting bars, attending events, and squeezing every ounce of college joy. Little did I realize that a significant chunk of my college experience was fueled by Anne Marie's infectious energy. Always bringing friends together for a good time, she effortlessly made my college days more memorable. And just like that, her radiant energy officially kickstarted our love story as things took a romantic turn.
Pinpointing the exact moment when our relationship transitioned from friendship to something more is a challenge. Amid countless one-on-one ice cream runs and movie nights, the need to share our story with the world became apparent. During our senior year spring break trip to Punta Cana, it was big news that Anne Marie and I were officially “a thing”. It was only a week or two later that the term "girlfriend" was officially adopted after a thoughtful date at the driving range and a meal more exquisite than your typical Chipotle fare. And so, our journey as a couple commenced.
And the rest is history
