If we want to get technical, our story begins in the early fall of 2006 on the side lawn of Aquinas Institute of Rochester during what we reluctantly called Band Camp. Deanna was doing her best to be a star performer with the AQ Color Guard, while Josh was tearin’ up the bass drums and keeping everyone in step—which, in hindsight, feels pretty apropos to where our relationship would lead. At first, it was simply two people involved in the same high school activities: marching band, theatre, stage crew, and everything in between. As time passed and moments together added up, a friendship blossomed into an inseparable bond that carried us through high school and beyond. Deanna—being a year older, and harboring a major crush on Josh—dragged him into working with her on Morning Update, AQ’s daily morning show, and Arete, the AQ yearbook. As time together increased, so did our connection. Once Deanna got her driver’s license, she would lovingly “kidnap” Josh so we could go geocaching, boating, or just talk for hours. Those early adventures laid the foundation for something deeper than either of us fully realized at the time. Over the years, our relationship grew more complex but also more meaningful. There were long conversations when Deanna left for college, visits to see Josh at Ithaca College, and eventually trips out to California after Josh moved to Los Angeles. (And let’s not forget Deanna almost moving to LA…not once, but twice.) As life grew busier and adulthood took hold, calls, conversations, and time together drifted to the wayside—but the feelings never faded. In 2019, everything came full circle. Deanna sent a text, and the rest is history. The truth is, we had always known—deep down—that somehow, someday, we would find our way back to each other. What began in high school and wove in and out of our lives for years ultimately led us to our forever. “It was always you” we would tell each other. Since then, we’ve built a beautiful life together. We weathered a global pandemic as a couple, moved Josh across the country together, bought a home on the Erie Canal and later on, a boat, we welcomed two amazing dogs, Olive & Otis, and we've shared countless adventures along the way. On a scuba diving adventure in Curacao, on a gorgeous March evening in 2025, Josh got down on one knee and asked *the* question. Without hesitation, Deanna screamed “Yes!” We’ve grown individually and together, learning life’s lessons side by side and we’re so excited to continue choosing each other every day. The Best is truly yet to come. Thank you for being an important part of our long and storied journey. We’re so excited and grateful to have you join us on our wedding day.