Around 8:30 pm two Fridays ago, Joslyn greeted me at their doorway on 16th Street as I came into the city via the metro (not your typical yooper transportation). She and Tommy prepared a cheese platter and shared wine with me while NCIS reruns played silently in the background while we caught up on our lives. A light breeze filtered through their window that casually faces the Washington Monument in their cozy, one bedroom apartment.

Joslyn and I have known each other for nearly as long as I have lived in the U.P., placing us at about kindergarten. While we went to different schools, we figure skated together with our sisters and belonged to the same church. On the weekends of our figure skating club's annual ice show, we would have sleepovers at her house, munching on chex mix and playing with her dachshund, Dash. She met Tommy during her freshman year at Adrian College. Joslyn studied journalism and political science, Tommy studied accounting. A couple years ago, they landed careers in our nation's capital, making careers out of exactly what they've strived for in their college years. Joslyn is currently an automotive journalist for US Weekly, and Tommy works as an accountant for a nonprofit.

Cherishing the current chapter they're in, they decided to take their engagement photos out East where their present lives are thriving. In just over a year, they'll be exchanging vows in downtown Detroit, nearer to their families and original homes.

Morning in DC:

Along our walk, Joslyn pointed out the Starbucks that Ivanka Trump frequents.

We ventured to one of Joslyn and Tommy's running spots, Meridian Park. Just a short jog from their apartment, the park used to be known for its extravagant fountain displays. However, the city could no longer afford to keep the water running, so now the park is haunted by empty concrete structures visited by skateboarders, Georgetown film students, and other runners.