Emma and I both grew up in Baton Rouge, and went to what were once rival high schools. While we knew of each other in high school, we didn't actually meet until our freshman year of college at LSU. I don't remember this meeting since it was in a bar, but Emma's friend (and bridesmaid!) Angele and I had become friends and I got Emma's number through her. Fast forward through ski trip and spring break, Emma and I had our first "date" at a Tri Delta party April 24, 2018, but we didn't start "dating" until May 22, 2018 (it was really May 23, but Emma didn't want our anniversary to be the same day as her birthday). As they say, the rest was history. Emma and I hit it off from the beginning, and six-and-a-half years later, we have so many stories and memories that have brought us to where we are today. From meeting her family in Tigerland, through finishing undergrad and too many sorority/fraternity events to count, to yearly beach trips, through Masters' degrees and law school, living in different cities, getting our first (and second) real-world jobs, two dogs, a pandemic, and much, much, more, we both know there is no one else we would want to spend the rest of our lives with than each other. We're coming up on our seventh anniversary, but that will all change when we get married in June (but knowing Emma, we will still celebrate both anniversaries with some type of dinner-and definitely some red wine, or a trip to Superior). Our relationship hasn't always been easy, but what I love the most is that we both end up choosing each other at the end of the day. The maintenance of any long-lasting relationship requires understanding, grace, and probably most importantly forgiveness. There have been a number of people who have helped raise us, nurture our relationship, or lend a helping hand, but one that recently entered our life was the officiant marrying us in the Catholic Church--Deacon Don Allison. By pure luck, Deacon Don offered to marry us and has counseled us heavily in the sacrament and covenant we will undertake in June. Deacon Don has been married to his wife for a number of years, and while he practices what he preaches (pun intended) in all facets of his life, there is probably no more apt area than his stance on forgiveness. His story was featured recently on the local news, and is a powerful reminder of God's teachings on loving your enemies, and doing unto others as you would like to receive in return. If you're interested in reading about Deacon Don's story, you can read the story or watch the video at the following link: https://www.wafb.com/2025/04/21/one-victim-one-shooter-second-chance/ We look forward to celebrating with you in June, and ask for your continued prayers to look over both of us and our relationship as we take the first steps towards a lifetime of getting each other into Heaven! Love, Manning and Emma