In early January of 2018, Maura and Aidan found themselves flying halfway across the world to begin a 6 month semester abroad studying and researching at the University of Sydney. As two unassuming and outgoing college students, they quickly found themselves to be two likeable companions in a quickly emerging friend group. As time went on, Maura and Aidan became closer and closer friends and simply never grew tired of talking with each other. Whether it was the complex vulnerability of the power grid or turmoil of past relationships no topic seemed to be off the table. One of their first times meeting each other, they found themselves wandering alone through the woods of the Blue Mountains rambling on in a world of their own. Quickly, they became inseparable, as Maura recalls how Aidan notably challenged her to “keep up” in all of things he had planned on this retreat abroad.
After a few weeks of a swiftly developing “friendship,” Aidan asked Maura out on their first “official” date on February 8th to Morrison’s Oyster Bar in the Sydney CBD where they shared their common interest of $1 Oyster happy hour. A few days later and curious of Aidan’s true intentions, Maura took Aidan back to her apartment after he was politely escorted out of the Lansdowne pub for calling one of the bouncers “dog.” Contrastingly sober and taking advantage of everyone’s favorite truth serum, she questioned him on whether or not he liked her so that she truly had the upper hand. Now with Aidan’s cards on the table, it was time for Maura to make her gesture of romance which came a few days later on Valentine’s day. While Aidan was modeling the collapse of the Northwest cod fishery with differential equations, Maura broke into his apartment gifting him some extra pillows and some chocolates and beginning her lifelong mission of making Aidan’s life cozier. One week later on February 22nd 2018, Maura and Aidan became an official couple.
In a land down under, Maura and Aidan grew together both as friends and partners. Isolated from their friends, families, and occupations back home, they relied on each other in this new faraway land. With a shared interest in adventure, they spent their free time traveling around Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania as they wanted to get the most out of their time in southern hemisphere. When it came time to return stateside, they packed up their suitcases they had been living out of and were eager to return home as a couple to integrate each other into their lives they had just placed on pause for 6 months.
In the months and years that ensued Maura and Aidan grew closer and closer together as the complexities of their lives intertwined. They became household names in each other’s family, and built a foundation of memories and challenges that would define their relationship. Finishing up their time at Boston University, Maura began working as an engineer in Boston as Aidan started his career as a nuclear engineer for the Navy which took him to San Diego. After 3 years of a long distance relationship, Maura and Aidan have finally found themselves together again in San Diego as Maura pursues her PhD at UC San Diego.
Most recently they have adopted their sweet dog Torrey Pines Appleberry-McDaid, who has promptly assumed her role at the foot of their bed. With nearly 8 years together and a lifetime to go, Maura and Aidan move on to this next chapter of their life filled with love and adventure. Finding love in a faraway land, their connection has been the one consistency in their chaotic lives holding them together whether near or far.