It's a tale as old as... technology. Seriously. We met via Zoom (thanks Covid) in our second semester of our first year at MSU Denver persuing our Masters in Social Work (at the time of our wedding we will be graduates YAY). We were taking synchronous Monday classes, and required to meet virtually in Brady Bunch squares. 

Layah will tell you that I (Alisha) noticed her on Day 1 (because I told her I did)! Layah, on the other hand, was just trying to survive getting off a 12-hour night shift into an 11am class, dressed as the uni-bomber (swear that's how she describes herself). Clearly a match made in Heaven.

The fun really didn't start until late February when we were placed in groups for a project. Layah needed some teammates and we had space! During a breakout session (where we go into smaller virtual group rooms), I was of course complaining about how hard it was to work 12-hour night shifts and somehow switch schedules to attend class. Layah piped up (which was a rare occurance at that) to say that we had the same nights work schedule, Wed-Fri. I replied, "Did we just become night shift buddies?!" in my best Step Brothers voice (is that even a thing?). 

Fast forward to that first Wednesday, Layah text me and we've literally never stopped talking since (though Alisha would say that after our first in-person interaction we almost never spoke again).

We bonded over video games and late night laughs. We went on our first trip together to Las Vegas, after Alisha had to beat out a prior competitor. While the trip was full of shenanigans, it was the start of something incredible. I asked Layah to "ride through life with me" as my girlfriend in a CycleBar class in oneises. I mean, to know me is to know that anyone who is down to take a spin class in a onesie is obviously a keeper! 

Our love story continued to grow when Layah then provided me with the key to her heart after I finished the bike portion of a 1/2 Ironman Relay. We continued on a path of firsts together from sporting events, to moving in together, to BUYING OUR FIRST HOME!

The Proposal: https://youtu.be/kY22234FfUM

While I could gush about the proposal, there are no words to describe the moment, the feeling, the joy, the forever happiness but there sure is a video (above)!

Our Song: Make Me Wanna by Jimmie Allen

Our Color: Blue

Our Favorite Place to Eat: Bad Daddy's

Our Favorite Show: Law & Order: SUV/Criminal Minds

Thank you all for being such important parts of our journey! We are so excited to go on this next adventure with you as our support and inspiration. ~Lisha & Layah