Our story started back in high school, thanks to a little help from mutual friends who decided two people without prom dates clearly needed each other. He was at an all-boys Catholic school, I was at a public school, and somehow our worlds crossed at just the right time. What began as a prom date turned into something much more. We dated through the end of high school and into our freshman year of college before life pulled us in different directions. Even while we were apart, though, we never completely lost touch. We always found ways to check in, like our story wasn’t quite finished yet. A few years later, life continued to unfold. But in 2023, we decided to meet for dinner. The moment we saw each other, it felt like no time had passed at all. Everything was easy, familiar, and exactly how it was meant to be. From that night on, everything fell back into place. What we have now feels even stronger than before, built on years of history, friendship, and growing up both together and apart. We’re truly best friends, and loving each other feels natural, effortless, and meant to be.

William proposed on December 15, 2025, on a winter night that already felt magical at the Detroit Zoo Lights but became unforgettable in a way we never could have imagined. As we walked through the glowing displays, surrounded by music, laughter, and the sparkle of thousands of lights, everything felt warm and special, like one of those moments you wish you could freeze in time. Then, in the middle of it all, he got down on one knee. It was quiet in that surreal way big life moments often are, like the world faded out and it was just us. Every step of our journey, from high school to finding our way back to each other, led to that exact moment. It was thoughtful, intentional, and filled with so much love, and the easiest “yes” of a lifetime. Now every holiday season, those lights will mean more than just a tradition, they’ll always remind us of the night our forever officially began. We’ve built a relationship rooted in laughter, loyalty, and feeling completely at home with each other. Whether we’re doing something big or just spending a quiet night together, it’s always better because we’re side by side. Years after that first prom night, we get to stand in front of everyone we love and promise forever, and that feels like the most full-circle moment of all. And now, we can’t wait to start this next chapter — together.