Our story began long before we ever realized it was being written. David and I first met in 5th grade, two kids sitting in a classroom with no idea of the lifetime ahead of us. What started as nothing more than a sweet childhood crush slowly grew roots, weaving its way into something much greater than we could have imagined. For years, we stayed close friends sharing secrets, laughter, and the simple joys of growing up together. But somewhere between the hallways of middle school and the milestones of high school, friendship wasn’t enough anymore. On February 13, 2017, David asked me to be his Valentine, and with that one question, the next chapter of our lives began. What many thought would be a fleeting high school romance soon became the kind of love people dream about. We spent our teenage years creating memories stitched together with love dancing under the homecoming lights, babysitting his nephew just to steal more moments together, and him cheering me on at every Friday night football game. David may have been in the stands, but in truth, he was always the one who made me feel like the star of the show. Life, of course, tested us. Curveballs came, as they always do, but instead of breaking us, they only bound us closer. At 18, when most were still trying to figure out who they were, we took a leap of faith and moved in together. It wasn’t always easy, but it was always worth it because every challenge only proved that home was never a place, but a person. Now, at 23 and 24, we look back on all the years that brought us here the laughter, the trials, the growing pains, and the love that carried us through it all. What began as a spark in a 5th-grade classroom has grown into a flame that we know will burn for a lifetime. And so, with hearts full of gratitude and joy, we’re ready for the next chapter: to stand before the people we love most and promise forever.