Love in Long Beach

At first it felt wrong. I was extremely drawn to a girl who was introduced to me by extended family. And she was their extended family. But to be clear, not my extended family. Our love story is one of me missing many opportunities, and AnnaClaire being prescient enough to keep giving me second chances. After we had first met, while I was camping (with our mutual cousin) in Wisconsin, I texted her about how much I liked her as she was headed back home to Texas, and she told me I should have done something about it. Then when I did do something about it, I got cold feet because I wasn't sure how to date someone 2 years younger from 1000 miles away as I went off to college. Still being stubborn, we met in person for the first time in years in 2017 and I waxed poetic about how much I liked her but wasn't sure I'd ever get married. What a schmuck I was. Looking back, time flattens so quickly and it seems blindingly obvious that she is the love of my life and we were destined to be together. I've never written anyone else love letters. I've never contacted someone after years of not speaking, praying there was a chance to reconnect. And I've damn sure never married anyone. But proposing to, and now planning for a marriage with AnnaClaire Braun seems like the most natural and right thing I've ever done.

I met Josh when I was 14, and the first thing he said about me is that I was "foxy". We spent summers visiting our families in Madison, WI, and I was immediately drawn to his hilarious jokes, cool guy vibes, and his openness with me. A series of late night phone calls and love letters later, and I was completely sold. Of course, we lost touch as we went to college, but eight years later we reconnected. I was instantly reminded of how much I loved him; we could talk about anything, he was passionate about pursuing both his and my dreams, and he, no matter what, could make me laugh. His qualities that I fell for so many years ago are the same reasons why I love him now. I am so excited to share my life with a loving, supportive and hilarious partner! And yes, he's my dad's, sister's, husband's, sister's, son....my cousin's cousin, but not my cousin. It's weird, and we like that.