I wholeheartedly, inescapably, and happily fell in love with the girl I walked to class after English. Knowing now that I was late to my next class every single time makes me smile, because over fourteen years ago I was getting every second I could with her. December 29th, 2022 was our first date. She's quick to say she made the first move and in that I'm eternally grateful. From that night forward we built and grew our relationship from different states. We went through trials, busy schedules, heavy hearts, but continued to find joy and love in each other. Through letters and hearing each others voices we seemed much closer than the 687 miles that separated us. I grew to treasure her handwriting, as it offered a kind of intimacy I didn't know one could grow to love. I read her letters and heard her voice and felt her words in my heart. I drove from Colorado to start a new life in Texas on July 20th, 2023 and nervously met her for her birthday the 22nd. The first " I love you" was said the next day. And every single day after that. My mom had prayed for my heart to be known, and her mom did the same for hers. August 11th I asked Chelsie Nicole LeBouef to be my wife, and I've never heard a more beautiful "yes" in my life.