We met in grade school at Budd School, when recess meant kickball and lunchboxes held peanut butter sandwiches. I was the shy girl with a soft smile. You were the boy with a laugh that made everyone turn their heads. Our desks were side by side, and you offered me your extra pencil when mine broke during a spelling test. That was the beginning. We grew up together — through awkward middle school dances, high school heartbreaks, and college applications. Life pulled us in different directions for a while. You moved to Colorado; I stayed in the Midwest. We became friends on Facebook in 2010 and saw each other at our 30-year class reunion. At 61, we reconnected …. Now, at 64, we’re getting married. Not because we rushed, but because we waited. We’ve lived full lives, gathered stories, and now we get to write the next chapter together. From crayons to wedding rings — it’s been a long time coming, and just the right time to begin again. With love, Deb & Jack-