It was the summer before Arden’s sophomore year. She was about to start at a brand new school where she didn’t know a single person. As part of prepping for one of her upcoming and difficult classes, she attended a summer workshop hosted by her future teacher, Mrs. Moellendorf. The workshop was held at her home. Students gathered around a long table in her dining room, getting to know each other and the material. That’s where she first met Thomas. At one point during the workshop, Mrs. Moellendorf asked a question to the group. Thomas raised his hand to answer, but he got it wrong. No one remembers what the question was or what he said, only that Arden made a quick, lighthearted joke of his answer out loud. Everyone laughed. Thomas was a little annoyed and thought to himself, "Who even is this girl?" When the school year started, it turned out that Arden and Thomas shared more than one class. They had Mrs. Moellendorf’s Worldviews class and Mr. Warren’s Algebra class together. Arden walked into class, saw Thomas, and asked if she could sit next to him. Afterward, when it was time for lunch, she nervously asked if she could join him and his friends. They went across the street to a local Subway, which became their daily lunch spot. From there, the friendship grew. Arden was quickly embraced into the friend group, and soon enough, she and Thomas were spending nearly every day together. They often hung out at his house, spent time walking through the woods and trails behind his backyard, and enjoyed each other’s company. Their connection grew naturally, but quietly. Both of them had feelings for the other, but neither was sure if it was mutual. Despite that, their bond continued to grow. They started talking on FaceTime every night, sharing stories, laughs, and long conversations. Then, on the night of July 1st, 2020, something changed. Thomas picked up his guitar and told Arden he had something to share. At first, she did not think much of it since he often played her songs he had written. But as he began to sing, she realized this song was different. The lyrics were about her. It was a heartfelt and emotional song he had written just for her. When he finished playing, he looked at her and asked if she would be his girlfriend. With tears in her eyes and her heart full, she smiled and said yes. Since then, their story has been one of growing up side by side. From teenagers navigating high school drama to adults building a life together, Arden and Thomas have shared every step. They have experienced milestones, faced challenges, and created memories and unforgettable moments. Through every season, they have remained each other's constant, learning and growing through it all. What began as a spark in a classroom has become a steady and lasting love. Now they stand ready to face life together, looking forward to all that lies ahead.