Ingrid and Mo’s story began on March 3, 2021, in Allison Hall at CSU. Ingrid had just started working the front desk, and Mo had recently transitioned from his previous dorm to become a resident assistant. They connected almost immediately, and what started as a casual encounter quickly blossomed into something more. Their first date? A trip to the gym. What followed was a second gym date, and then dinner.

But just as their connection was growing, the world shifted. Two weeks later, the dorms closed due to COVID-19, and Ingrid had to return to Brazil. Despite having known each other for only a few intense weeks, they decided to give long-distance a shot. It didn’t go as planned.

Months passed, filled with the frustration of separation, but fate had other plans. Ingrid came back to the U.S., and the two reconnected. When some of their plans fell apart, Ingrid reached out to Mo with an unexpected request: would he drive three hours to pick up her new puppy, Donatella? He did, without hesitation. And that moment marked a turning point in their relationship.

As they cared for the puppy together, their bond grew stronger, night by night. Eventually, Donatella even found her place in the dorms, becoming the unexpected glue that held them together. Their connection shifted from friendship to something deeper—fiery love began to take root.

Before long, they were living together, building a life as a family. A second dog, Eliza, joined the fold, and both of them worked toward their goals, earning degrees along the way. Today, they’re still in Fort Collins, living in a home they love, nurturing a relationship built on understanding, patience, and a commitment to each other. Their shared life is a beautiful blend of Brazilian and Jewish traditions, a daily adventure filled with new lessons about love, adulthood, and the joy of growing together.