We went to the same college but somehow never crossed paths — not until one winter break brought us together at just the right time. One of us was actually about to cancel that first lunch date, but with a little push and some motherly wisdom, that afternoon became a first step. It was nothing fancy — just a simple meal and hours of conversation that felt surprisingly easy. Afterward, we sat in the car with music playing and neither of us really wanting the day to end. There wasn’t a big moment — just something quiet and sure that told us this could be something real. When we got back to campus, it all fell into place. We found time for each other between classes, late at night, whenever we could. Being together felt natural from the beginning — like the best part of the day was just being near each other. A few weeks in, during a late-night McDonald’s run with friends (which quickly became a tradition), Gavin handed me a receipt with a question scribbled on the back: “Will you be my girlfriend?” It was spontaneous and a little silly, but it couldn’t have been more us. Since then, we’ve been through a lot of life together. We’ve grown up side by side — through milestones, hard seasons, big changes, and all the quiet in-betweens. We’ve figured out how to be a team, how to show up for each other, and how to hold space for love, even when things get messy. We’ve always found comfort in the small things — sitting on the couch after a long day, grocery runs that turn into mini dates, and the way we still find each other funny, even on tired days. Together, we’ve navigated challenges that brought us closer, learning how to support each other in ways that go beyond words — just being there, steady and present, holding space without needing to say much at all. We don’t always need words to understand each other. Our love has grown through shared laughter, challenges, and everything that life throws at us. It’s the kind of relationship where you can be completely yourself — no pretenses, just honest, easy love. Now, we’re so excited to take the next step and get married — to keep growing, learning, and building our life together.