Her Version: Believe in love at first sight? I do. The year was 2016. I was 15 years old, a sophomore in high school, and walked into my Spanish honors class to take my assigned seat. Little did I know, the hottest guy in school would be seated right behind me. That moment sparked a crush—and from that very second, I knew I was in love. Seriously, just ask my closest high school friends (Sydney, Sarah, and Kate). The night after the homecoming dance with Denton, I told them I would marry him one day. Eight years ago (or 3,021 days ago), Denton won our family cornhole tournament and officially asked me to be his girlfriend. From those first sparks of teenage crushes to now, we’ve built a home and a life together. We spent countless hours together, creating some of my favorite memories that I’ll cherish forever. For five years, we navigated the challenges of a long-distance relationship—Purdue to Grand Valley, Hartland to New York City—but those years, though difficult, brought unforgettable moments, growth, and lessons. Through it all, we grew closer, learning how to support, communicate, and love one another with every step. Denton is my best friend & my greatest blessing. I’m so grateful that I got to grow up with him and that I’ll get to grow old with him, too—experiencing all that life has to offer, every step of the way.