Avery and Bryce go way back—to 5th grade, actually. When Avery’s family moved to Albion, she ended up in the same 5th-grade class as a kid named Bryce. Their first school trip together was to the Olson Nature Preserve, where Avery quickly figured out that Bryce was definitely the class clown. She, on the other hand, was the mellow new girl—pretty much total opposites. But, as small-town life would have it, they ended up in the same homeroom year after year through middle school and high school. Bryce always had a soft spot for Avery, and Avery made sure he didn’t have it too easy. After graduation, life took them in different directions—Avery to college, Bryce staying in Albion to work on the farm and at Grosch Irrigation. Still, life has a funny way of bringing the right people back together. Avery was home for the summer working at Thrifty Way, and Bryce just happened to roll through on burger bash day. When he saw her working, he pulled in, hopped in line, and started talking (so much that he forgot to pay—Avery ended up covering for him). Not long after, Bryce sent a message that would change everything: “We should drive around sometime. I’d like to reconnect with old classmates.” One drive turned into a night of talking, laughing, and reminiscing—and the rest is pretty much history. Now here we are, surrounded by the people who mean the most to us, celebrating a story that started with a small-town classroom, a burger, and a whole lot of laughs.