We met in 2015 in our high school marching band. Noah was the really cool, mysterious junior who had dope dancing skills and was a section leader for the saxophone section. Neeha was so surprised when she realized that they had become fast friends, because he could've been friends with anyone but wanted to spend time with her. Noah became the goofiest buddy, most supportive friend, and strongest grounding presence in Neeha's life - something she really needed at the time. Every time she heard the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky, which the marching band's brass ensemble played as the opening of their show together, she would close her eyes and think about how handsome he looked under stadium lights. However, in fear of risking the friendship and not creating drama, she kept her feelings to herself, hoping they would fade eventually. Five years, a move to Massachusetts, and many video calls later, they were still best friends and Neeha's feelings never faded. But by now, she had accepted the reality that her dream guy was never attainable. She could never ruin her closest friendship when there was no chance he had any feelings for her. Meanwhile, from Noah's perspective... Neeha was a safe haven with whom Noah could exist most authentically. The seed was planted the moment they had their first interaction, and love had grown through their goofy isms and deep conversations. Even though he was the older one by two years, his soul was the student of Neeha's intellect and wisdom. Noah admired her resilience and maturity with aspiration, not to mention the radiance in her smile. After Neeha's move to Massachusetts and many cross-country FaceTime calls, it was clear that borders could not confine the love that Noah felt for Neeha. He loved her so much but they were best friends and it wouldn't even cross his mind to spill his true feelings for her because he assumed she didn't feel the same. And how could he risk completely ruining the friendship and losing the only person who knew everything about him? He had never felt a bond like this, but they were just friends, right? "Just friends" that video chatted each other every morning and night. "Just friends," but Noah was planning to drive 12 hours from Michigan to visit Neeha in Massachusetts for her birthday. "Just friends" who felt like home to each other. Noah's visit to Massachusetts changed it all. The main reason for his visit was because he had never met Neeha's baby cat, Toothless, in person, and the best birthday gift for Neeha would be for them to meet. During the visit, the natural love they felt for each other, Noah bonding with Toothless instantaneously (which is a big deal if you know us at all), and a day in Boston that somehow turned into a romantic evening watching the sunset on the seaport FINALLY lead to them admitting their feelings for each other. Seven cats, six spontaneous adventures, five jobs, four apartments, three years, two towns, one pandemic and countless memories later... here we are. We always say Toothless was the missing puzzle piece that finally brought us together. And throughout our relationship, she was the most important aspect of both of our lives. She still is. Toothless passed away in April of 2023 suddenly and unexpectedly. Although this was not the only loss we had experienced over the past three years, it was the most devastating to us. But it showed us more than ever how strong our relationship is, to have gone through such a loss together yet still be able to lean on and support each other. In honor of how important Toothless is to us, how much we miss her, how grateful we are to have been her parents, how she will live in our hearts forever, and how she watches over us from beyond, it only made sense for us to center our spiritual wedding ceremony around her essence.