In August 2018, during my last semester in college, I received a phone call from my boyfriend, Daniel, that sparked the beginning of a new chapter. While I stayed in our home state of Kansas to study business marketing at Emporia State University, Daniel pursued his athletic dreams at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. We had just a few moments to talk before my next meeting, so I quickly asked, “What about Princeton, where is that?”

I graduated college in 3.5 years in December 2018, and with Daniel graduating in May 2019, we had quite the aspirations and adventures ahead of us with new jobs. The goal for graduates is to find a great opportunity that works toward their given dream job. He found just that — now involved with Princeton University Diving and the Princeton Tigers Aquatics Club coaching young athletes in the sport.

In late May we were fortunate to go on a graduation vacation to the Dominican Republic, much needed to sort out the details of moving to Pennsylvania from Kansas. Little did I know this was much more than celebrating bachelor degrees: It came with a proposal. Dating for seven years through high school, college and the distance, I had the slightest idea an engagement would be coming, but a surprise sunrise proposal was much more than I could have dreamed of.

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Daniel kick-started the move early last July, embarking from Kentucky with his dad to start putting down some roots for the two of us. My dad and I drove from Kansas to Pennsylvania in early October; luckily, we had the most beautiful weather to enjoy the adventurous road trip. My car packed to the brim, a moving truck just weeks behind us, we were ready for the newest adventure as a couple moving to the Northeast and into our first home together.

However, it was no walk in the park; we are both so close to our families and friends that saying goodbye was no picnic. It never really is goodbye though, rather more of a “see you later.” With 20 hours of driving and now nearly 1,200 miles between us and them, technology has kept us connected and closer than ever with our loved ones back home in Kansas.

— Lexi Holstin, digital account executive