Some love stories begin with a spark. Ours began with a note in a yearbook, a saxophone, a flute, and a kiss in the 7th grade. We first met at Explorer Middle School, around the age of 13, in the band room—Emily on the flute and CJ on the saxophone. Our connection was instant and undeniable. We shared our first kiss in seventh grade, beginning a journey filled with young love, laughter, and those awkward-yet-sweet middle school moments. Though life led us to different high schools, we never lost touch. We had our "on and off" phases, but we always found our way back to each other—through hallway hellos, late-night messages, and quiet confessions. After high school, our paths took different directions again. Emily moved to Flagstaff for college, and CJ stayed in Phoenix, each of us chasing dreams, growing up, and learning more about ourselves. In 2012, we made the tough decision to go our separate ways—but even then, our story wasn’t over. For over a decade, we remained in touch here and there, checking in, cheering each other on from a distance. It wasn’t until early 2024 that fate—or maybe love—decided it was time. Emily was flipping through an old yearbook when she came across a note from CJ that simply said, “I love you always.” That message sparked something. She snapped a picture and sent it to him. A short exchange followed. Then, on March 22, 2024, after Emily posted a photo from a concert with her sister, Alyssa, CJ messaged her again. Funny enough, Emily had planned to message him that same night (thanks to a little liquid courage)—but CJ beat her to it. A few days later, CJ picked Emily up, and they headed to Postino’s for wine and snacks, which turned into an impromptu ice cream run. CJ was nervous. Emily wasn’t. She made the first move. And just like that—everything fell into place. They started going on night drives, listening to music, talking about life, love, and everything in between. On their second night out, by the lake, CJ told Emily that he loved her. Anyone who knows Emily knows she never stopped loving him. By the end of April, they’d met each other’s families and friends and made it official on April 29, 2024. Just a few days later, on May 7, they discovered they were expecting their first child. The news brought a rush of emotions—surprise, joy, excitement, a little fear—but above all, deep happiness. On June 4—Emily’s birthday—they saw their baby for the first time and heard her heartbeat. They shared the moment surrounded by friends and family. The summer was filled with joy: camping trips, bonding time, and sweet anticipation. During their Fourth of July camping trip, CJ asked Emily’s father, Peter, for her hand in marriage. He wanted to do things right—for her, for them, and for the life they were building. On July 17, they found out they were having a baby girl and shared the news in a beautiful gender reveal surrounded by loved ones. But life, as it often does, brought the unexpected. On August 9, as Emily was getting ready for work, her water broke. CJ rushed to be by her side, but their sweet baby girl, Leilani Lynn, was born sleeping just before he arrived. Guided by the OB on FaceTime, CJ cut Leilani’s cord. In that moment of unimaginable heartbreak, they clung to each other, realizing that even in the deepest sorrow, their love was unwavering. In the days that followed, their bond grew stronger. They grieved together, healed together, and held on to each other tighter than ever before. Love became more than a word—it became a promise. On November 28, 2024, after a heartfelt Thanksgiving dinner with their families, CJ got down on one knee and asked Emily the question that had been written in their stars since they were 13 years old: “Will you marry me?” She said yes. To forever. To always. And here we are—writing the next chapter in our forever love story.