It all started at Cinco Ranch Junior High in 7th grade Spanish class. Colby was loud, friends with the troublemakers, and always trying to make Emily laugh. Emily was quiet, way smarter than everyone else in the class, and always tried her hardest not to laugh. That pattern continued throughout junior high and high school as they somehow always had classes together or lockers near each other. Over the years, Colby succeeded at making her laugh a few times, and even worked up the courage to ask her to hang out a few times. Colby asked her to hang out sophomore year and Emily said no. They went on a couple of dates junior year before she friend-zoned him. Then finally, senior year, something changed. One Friday night, Colby was playing Spikeball with his buddy Cade at Cinco Ranch High School and had just left when Emily and her friend Julia had gotten there. Emily was the one who made the move this time, telling him to come back to the high school to teach her and Julia ‘how to play.’ :) Colby, ready to show off his athletic ability to the cute girl from Spanish class, happily agreed. Over the remaining months of Senior year, they would meet every Friday night under the parking lot lights and the group of kids grew larger and larger. Emily started subtly flirting with Colby by bringing him fruit cups or chocolate milk after her night shifts at Chick-fil-A. They would spend hours talking in the Sonic parking lot, long after Spikeball ended and everybody had gone home. The two of them would talk until the parking lot lights turned off. Colby finally decided to ask her out on Easter of Senior year, after she had come home from her yearly Easter family gathering. He cooked her shrimp pasta and they watched movies until the early hours of morning. Once he managed to ask her out, she responded with one simple word: "Okay". The next months were filled with graduation parties, birthdays, and summertime adventures. When it came time for college, they faced a challenge; Emily was going to Stephen F. Austin State University while Colby attended Texas A&M University. They promised each other that the distance wasn't going to stop them from being together. Their college years were filled with weekend trips, lots of Facetime calls, and a surprise visit here and there. While they were living their own lives, making new friends, and growing into the people they are today, their love was becoming stronger by the day. Long distance wasn't all sunshine and rainbows: there were hard times, long talks, and lots of tears. But ultimately, strengthened their bond. Unfortunately, as most things do, college was coming to an end, and they were on their way to entering adulthood. Emily attended Colby's graduation, Colby attended Emily's graduation. From watching each other walk the stage at high school, they were now watching each other graduate from college. After they graduated, Colby knew there was only one thing left to do. He took Emily ring shopping, started planning the engagement, and started saving money. When the time finally came, Emily flew with Colby and his family out to California for his cousin's wedding with the ring hidden the whole time. Under the disguise of family photos, he managed to lure Emily out to a quiet spot tucked away in nature, and got down on one knee. Luckily, this time Emily didn't just say "Ok"; she said something far less appropriate for children, feel free to ask us about it next time you see us. Needless to say, Emily was surprised. From parking lot talks and Friday night Spikeball to forever, Emily and Colby can’t wait to celebrate the start of their next chapter with you.