For those who remember, our story technically began back in 7th grade at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School when we “dated” in the way only middle schoolers can. It was short-lived, innocent, and unremarkable at the time… but, as it turns out, it was the quiet beginning of everything. In 8th grade, while Garrison moved to a different school, a form of an invisible string kept us connected through FaceTimes and easy conversations that followed us into high school. At Bishop Ready, the small halls meant we were always just aware of each other, never quite together, never quite apart. Garrison insists he tried more than once during junior and senior year to make something happen. Hannah insists she had no idea. The truth probably lives somewhere in between. Years passed, life went on, and then in May of 2021, Garrison decided to try one last time. This time through Snapchat streaks (what else right?). On May 8th, we went on a first date that lasted seven hours but still didn’t feel long enough. Long FaceTimes turned into longer dates, and on May 17th, Garrison officially asked, in his own obviously very romantic way, “So… we’re basically boyfriend and girlfriend at this point, right?” From there, the string finally pulled tight. That August, Hannah left for Miami University, and our medium-distance relationship began. While many couples meet after they’ve already grown into themselves, we had the rare gift of growing up together. We navigated new lives, changing dreams, and seasons of distance, learning who we were as individuals while choosing to grow side by side. We counted down weekends, visits, semesters, and years until we saw each other next, discovering that who you have by your side through it all is what matters the most. Distance wasn’t always easy, but it taught us patience, trust, and how lucky we were to have found home in one another. On January 4th, 2025, in Hocking Hills, after holding onto the ring since March of 2024, Garrison finally asked the question we’d both been counting down to. And just like that, the story that started all those years ago became our forever. In June of 2025 we became cat parents to Maizie May who fell into our laps at a perfect time and immediately won us over. In May of 2026, Garrison will graduate with his bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a milestone we’ve both been eagerly awaiting. Hannah is currently in her Master of Social Work program and will graduate in August of 2026, just three months before "I do", making this season one of growth, hard work, and excitement as we step into our next chapter together!