Some love stories start with a meet-cute at a coffee shop or gym class. Ours started with the overwhelming panic of medical school orientation in the middle of a pandemic.

Drew grew up in sunny Los Angeles, where she spent her childhood convinced she was her dad's official secretary (complete with coin-wrapping duties and very important phone message-taking). She grew up learning the family home development business and being inspired by her older sister's independence and her brother's ability to find humor in absolutely everything. She just happened to take a scenic route through Texas Tech for her Master's in Public Health before landing at Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Meanwhile, Mark was growing up in Cabin John, Maryland, perfecting the art of staying outside until dark with his younger brother and best friend. Mark went to the University of Maryland where he volunteered with the fire department and found an even bigger group of guys to do even dumber activities with. He eventually went on to become a police officer in the all too well known Prince George’s County when he got the call about medical school acceptance. He's still convinced someone made a mistake—but hey, we're not complaining about that particular administrative error.

One day before classes started, we met and we were basically inseparable since (in the least clingy way possible, we promise). We studied together, stressed together, and took countless walks around the neighborhood—sometimes to review material, sometimes just to remember there was life beyond textbooks. From Idaho to Southampton, New York for clinicals, and finally to Tucson, Arizona where we somehow managed to Couples Match for residency, we've been each other's favorite study partner and adventure buddy.

Along the way, we've collected some pretty great memories: cross-country road trips that tested our navigation skills, camping on the Oregon coast, family vacations to tropical places that definitely beat the hospital cafeteria, visits to LA to spoil Drew's nephew Hudson (who is, scientifically speaking, the best nephew ever), and countless trips to our happy place, the house in Heber, Utah.

It was on one of those Utah trips that Mark decided to make things official. During a hike with wildflowers and mountain views that could make anyone feel romantic, he got down on one knee and asked Drew to marry him. There may have been some stumbling over words and a ring box that opened upside down, but the important part is that Drew said yes. Because really, after all those years of studying together, who else would put up with our love of femoral lines and Chick-fil-a obsession?

Now we're ready to say "I do" in the mountains we love, surrounded by the people who've cheered us on through every step of this adventure. From future Dr. and Dr. to Mr. and Mrs., here's to the next chapter.