Texas is now where we call home, but our "I DO" belongs back in Upstate NY

Our Love story Grant and I actually go way back all the way to 3rd grade in New York, but we really became close in 7th and 8th grade when we were on student council together and participated in the Natural Helpers program. I was his cheerleader for HS basketball. Somewhere between all the chaos of school activities, and teenage life we became best friends. We bonded over music, and I even bought Grant his very first CD ever, COOLIO-GANSTER'S PARADISE. I’d like to think that moment set the tone for the rest of his life, clearly I’ve been improving his life choices ever since. In 9th grade we tried dating, but like my choices in high school, it didn’t work out. Life took us in different directions and eventually we both moved away from New York, building separate lives. Fast forward to 2023, when I got a random text that said something like “Hey, it’s Grant. I know this is random....... I remember you were there for me and made me smile.... I could use a old friend right now. I hope you are happy” Naturally, my first thought was to call my brother Rick and I asked him “Are you giving my phone number out?!” Rick said “Oh yeah… only to Grant. Just give him a call.” I sent him a text instead, Grant asked if he could call me. I said NO, "I was busy". He asked how about the next day. I said I was busy again. Then he asked when he could call and finally I told him he could call me the next day after 6 PM. He called at 6:01. We talked for an hour catching up on life, and just when the conversation seemed to be ending he casually said: “Wow it was so nice talking to you, you are the exactly the same as I remember you, it feels like not time has passed… will you marry me?” I laughed and told him, “Sorry, I don’t take marriage proposals over the phone!” Little did I know that what that one phone was going to lead to a marriage proposal a few years later from the boy I had my first crush on in 8th grade. GRANTS VERSION: When I texted her in 2023, I honestly thought we’d just catch up. I first had to figure out how to get her number from Rick and then have the courage to text her, hoping she would respond. She did after what felt like a lifetime, I asked if I could call her sometime. After being told she was “busy” a few times, I finally got permission to call after 6 PM, so I made sure to call at 6:01. Talking with her again felt easy, like no time had passed at all. So, I decided to end the call with a casual marriage proposal over the phone, after our first conversation in years. ( I thought it was a brilliant idea) Shockingly… she said NO!!!!, I don't take marriage proposals over the phone! But she didn’t block my number so I kept calling every night and eventually I asked if we could try long distance. She kindly reminded me that she lived in Texas and I lived in New York, and not to expect too much from it, because she wasn't moving back to New York. So I told her the obvious solution: “I’ll move to Texas.” she laughed, probably because she didn't think I was serious. I was VERY serious! I let her know the moment I knew that I was in love with her, (which was very quickly), she took a little longer to tell me she felt the same, but I didn't care, I told her every single day, then one day the words "I Love you too" came out, I think I cried! That summer she came to visit me in New York, before she even left we had already booked her next trip back. Later that fall I came to Texas for what was supposed to be a 10-day visit, SURPRISE, The visit never ended. Two years later, with the help of Gavin & Lexi and few friends, I finally got to plan a real proposal, this time in person, the kind she deserved!! I got down on one knee on New Year’s Eve SHE SAID YES!! And now here we are... excited to celebrate our love with our family and friends, taking it back to where it all started in New York. I will never regret building the courage up to text her, it was the best decision I have ever made.