You never know just how important someone will be when they enter your life. Coming into college meant meeting a bunch of new people, one of them being Caleb. I saw a cute tall boy sitting by himself at the dining hall who I recognized from my chemistry class, so I sat with him. That was the first day of our friendship and I'm happy to say it blossomed into much more. Come the end of sophomore year one of my friends told me Caleb was single and that we would be cute together. I agreed but didn't think anything more would ever happen. Later we started talking and hanging out more and low and behold on Valentines day he asked me to dinner. My favorite story from our first date was when we were done eating the server came out and gave us our check. Inside was a little valentine card with a unicorn on it. I saw that and knew it was a sign that Caleb was special. Me and my mom had joked for years that I needed a unicorn. I felt as though my standards were too high and that the man I was looking for didn't actually exist. I had even used those words in my prayers, "God send me a unicorn". And there he was sitting right across from me at the table. I knew that I loved Caleb after meeting his family. They were so welcoming and being with them felt like my home away from home. After he met my family I knew that I wanted to marry him. Somehow he wasn't scared off by their very goofy greeting consisting of them circling him with tribal dances. Over our dating and engagement time we have grown stronger and closer together. Caleb is my best friend, my shoulder to cry on, and he is down for my crazy adventures. We still have a lot to learn and the road ahead won't always be easy but we are excited to do it together. Forever.

Freshman year was an exciting time full of new faces and new experiences. While eating lunch one day in the dining hall alone, I was greeted by a bubbly girl who said that she knew me from my chemistry class. After talking for a while, we seemed to hit it off quite well and became good friends. Over time we would hang out in group settings and everything seemed to flow perfectly. Over the course of a few days during sophomore year, I began talking to Alayna about small things that were going on in her life, and from that point on, we began talking every day. At first, I thought things were entirely friendly and that I had made a very close friend that I was excited to have, but things quickly shifted when I realized how genuine and lovely this girl was. I couldn’t help but fall for her amazing personality when I was able to see all sides of her. I had told myself that I wouldn’t be the typical cheesy person and ask Alayna to dinner on Valentine’s day, but when the day came, I felt that it wouldn’t do any good to wait any longer. Our date went very well and we could both tell that this would be a wonderful relationship. My family was very excited to meet her when the time came, and once they met her, I knew they would never allow me to let go of her. I often joke that they would trade me for her if they had the chance. Meeting her family started off very strange, but I was soon able to see that their goofiness only made me feel more welcome, and I quickly felt as if I was a part of the family. Their support throughout the engagement process has only helped me further connect with them and has allowed for my relationship with Alayna to grow and deepen. I am very excited to see what the future holds for us, and I am even more excited that I am going to be able to take this journey with someone so special. I believe we are both ready to tackle this life together and love each other through the ups and downs. Here’s to a wonderful, adventure-filled life together.