Josh and I met in high school through our track and field team. Though we had known of each other beforehand, we hadn't actually met until my freshman year of high school -- Josh's sophomore year. Since we didn't have a high jump coach, Josh helped me and the other first-time jumpers to learn. His teaching style was... well, very Josh-like. But in between the sarcastic quips and smirks, Josh and I became friends. It became a favorite joke of mine yell, "HI JOSH!" whenever I would see him in the hallway. I was always greeted with a beet-red smirk and an eye roll as thanks for embarrassing him. Fast forward to my junior year of high school, Josh's senior year: it was around Christmas time when I first realized that I had feelings for this sarcastic, witty beanpole I loved to tease. So, I messaged him through social media, then eventually exchanged numbers and we haven't stopped talking since. By the time we get married, Josh and I will have talked for nearly 3,000 days straight. During around day 10-12, I went to his indoor track meet at GVSU, where his mother, Sue, was the ultimate wing-woman for me. She has always been in my corner. Around day 16 we went on our very first date to Rosa Parks Circle and ice-skated, then watched back to back movies at our houses. Looking back on it now, I can see that having an 8-hour first date is anything but typical and sure sign of the incredible relationship that was to come. In between that first date and today, working on year 8 of our relationship, I continue to marvel at the journey that has become our story. It is filled with love, laughter, a few hard times, and more than a few amazing ones. Josh and I have thrived together through different colleges, COVID, grad schools, and family losses and illnesses with a perpetual one hour drive between the two of us. I'm so proud of us -- how much we have grown as individuals and how much we have grown, and will continue to grow, together. I am overwhelmed with love and gratitude for this man. Here's to us, Joshua: as long as we both shall live.