Just friends. That’s all it was, until a fun-filled birthday vacation to South Padre Island, TX changed the scope of our lives. One look over at him while we enjoyed the beach empowered a little voice inside me encouraged me to strike up the nerve to reach out to him to show interest. Feeling unsure and scared of rejection, his sister, who’s also my best friend, provided me with the nudge needed to let him know that I was open to exploring an alternate, more romantic style of relationship. Luckily, he was receptive. Before long, 5 years of love, happiness, strife, and tears of all kinds had flown between us as had a multitude of adventures, experiences, personal triumphs and losses that strengthened our relationship. With a foundation built upon years of friendship and trust, Travis asked for my hand in marriage on Christmas Eve in front of friends and family. Who would have thunk that two friends would find a love so deep that they would vow to spend their lives choosing each other, to love each other? Committing to each other in front of God, their family, and friends to continue to overcome a myriad of valleys could build such a beautiful, uplifting life together