Some love stories begin with a grand introduction. Ours? It started with a cardboard boat race. We had known of each other since middle school—same schools, same classes, even the same friends—but somehow, we never crossed paths in a meaningful way. It wasn’t until senior year of high school that the universe finally nudged us together… in the most unexpected way. On a random Friday—April 28, 2017, to be exact—I decided to skip French class (sorry, Madame) and tag along with a friend to watch the school’s engineering cardboard boat race. My now-fiancé, Ryan, had signed up to volunteer as a judge for that very event. We weren’t supposed to be there. And yet, we were. And fate took over from there. Introduced by the friends we both came with, it was one of those magical moments that people only talk about in movies. We clicked instantly—laughing, talking, completely at ease. I still remember walking into my next class that day and telling my best friends, “I just met the man I’m going to marry.” It sounded wild at the time… and yet, here we are. One week later, Monday, May 6, 2017, we were officially a couple. And from that point on, our lives became beautifully intertwined. In the years since, we’ve grown up together. We’ve stood by each other through highs and lows, joy and challenges, sickness and health. We've grown not just as a couple, but as best friends and soulmates. Through every chapter, our bond has only deepened. Now, eight years later, we’re finally saying “I do”. We are the best parts of each other, and we can’t wait to begin this next adventure—side by side, for the rest of forever.