Our story begins in 2008, One Republic was on the radio and one’s social status was determined only by the number of Silly Bandz on their wrist. Two bright eyed children blissfully float through their first day of high school. They go from class to class taking in all the sights and sounds of their new environment. For most people the first day of school is usually a blur, an orientation, a desperate attempt to try to get one's bearings in an overwhelming new environment. It's rare to leave the first day of school with room numbers or a schedule memorized, it's even more rare to leave the first day having met your life long partner. When John and Vanessa met it was a tale as old as time, that is to say, love at first sight. That type of immediate and undeniable love that leaves one partner smitten, and the other one to take 15 years to realize that they are also smitten. In actuality, the next 4 years were spent building a friendship that was everlasting. Years passed, classes changed, iPods became cellphones, Arizonas became beers, bikes became cars and then back to bikes again once the cars broke down. But despite all that the friendship remained. At the end of high school there was a farewell however. A goodbye that on paper should have been permanent. Separate schools, separate paths. A goodbye in which the language used should have been the last one, however, in reality they were both just fooling themselves. Deep down they knew somehow that this goodbye was temporary. The following college years were a spattering of run-ins at local dives and a volley of "wyd" texts being traded back and forth at obscene hours of the night. For the sake of family reading this however: John spent the following few years volunteering at the Peace Corp where he traveled the world providing water to underprivileged nation, he learned many languages and became very strong, while Vanessa started a huge and successful tech start up in the big city only to grow disillusioned with the superficial, cut throat lifestyle eventually returning to her small town roots. In either case, neither could resist the call of their maternal grounds on Long Island. And like all good love stories, this one also finally blossoms. After a particularly enlightening kayak ride with a friend where John discovered the relationship status of Vanessa, and he decided to reach out. And like Romeo sneaking into the Garden of Capulet, so does John send a DM on Instagram. After one mulligan of a first date whose details would sure to bore readers here, the two go on to have a very successful second date. To say they rekindled a flame would be an understatement; A flame is used to light a candle, what was felt here was much much bigger, hotter and brighter. Finally, they decide to give it a real try. The following years have seen a new beginning coming to life. Their lives now shared with one another, forever surrounded by love, laughter, care and compassion. Together they create a new home together in a new place. Although the environment may be different it's all very familiar with each other there. A home that is filled with laughter, stories and support when need be. Despite all that has already happened, the best part of this story is that it's just beginning.