We're Getting Married!

Bennett’s Version I met Brooke in eighth grade after years of wanting to get to know her. Ever since we started attending the same school in third grade, she definitely had my interest. But God didn’t plan for us to finally meet until eighth grade. I remember being excited to know she was in my classes that year. I sat next to her and began talking to her more and more until I got the nerve to ask her to the Valentine’s Dance. We won King and Queen, and that was the start of our unofficial dating. From there, we went to the eighth-grade social together, and I finally made it official that June. Throughout high school, I remember talking to my friends about Brooke, saying that I could really see us getting married. I knew I wouldn’t find a kinder and more supportive person to spend my life with. Through all the ups and downs of high school, she stood by my side. I could not have gotten into and through West Point without Brooke. She wrote me a letter every day for six weeks while I was at boot camp. She patiently stuck with me through my late nights and busy weeks, where I struggled to communicate and manage my time; she always remained supportive. I’m so thankful for her, and I can’t wait to start this next chapter of life together. Brooke’s Version I was happy to find out that Bennett and I would be in the same 8th-grade class that year. I didn’t know him well, but it wasn’t long before I started to like him. Like all middle school relationships, we talked awkwardly in the halls, snapchatted constantly, and went on group “dates” chauffeured by our parents. Unable to drive, we’d even walk through neighborhoods to get to each other’s houses. Unlike other middle school relationships, ours lasted more than a few months. We liked each other more and more every day until about 8 months later, when he finally asked me to be his girlfriend. One year went by, then two, and now here we are celebrating 8 years of dating. Growing up together has been so sweet, and I especially love getting to experience big milestones together. After graduating from high school together, we started on our own paths while cheering each other on every step of the way. Bennett left for boot camp, and we wrote letters to each other that summer. It’s been 4 years of many trips back and forth to visit each other at school, and I can say that long distance will always be worth it for us. I can’t wait to marry my best friend and the person I’ve gotten to grow up with all these years. Once we get married, we’ll begin our next adventure as a military family, and we are ready for all that the Lord has in store for us!