Our story began in high school at the Holland Aquatic Center, where we worked as lifeguards. Our official job was to watch the water… but let’s be honest: we spent a lot more time sneaking glances at each other. She thought he was cute the second she saw him; he thought the exact same thing. Even our coworkers picked up on it—immediately. Which is probably why they decided to help fate along. One night, we were told that the entire lifeguard crew was going out for ice cream after work. Sounded fun! Very wholesome! Very casual! But when we arrived, it became obvious we’d been duped—we were the only two there. Everyone else mysteriously “couldn’t make it.” It was a setup, and our coworkers weren’t even subtle about it. Still, the ice cream was good, and so was the company. Over the next several months, our friendship deepened. Shifts together turned into inside jokes, lingering conversations, and those small moments that slowly build into something real. On December 15, 2017, we officially started dating, though by then our hearts had already been heading in the same direction for a while. Then came the date that should’ve scared him away but somehow brought us even closer. She showed up with a sinus infection, an ear infection, and pink eye. Basically the “Greatest Hits” of illnesses. And he? A massive germaphobe. But he still took her to a movie, let her sleep on his shoulder, and didn’t even run away screaming. Two weeks later, when she got the flu, he brought her a rose. If that isn’t true love, we don’t know what is. From there, life kept moving. We graduated high school, went to college, and then came the biggest plot twist: she moved across the country to Mississippi for medical school. He handled it like a champ—lots of FaceTimes, lots of visits, and lots of cheering her on. Now, she’s graduating this spring, and he’s as proud as a person can be. These days, we love traveling, hiking, going to the movies (where she still occasionally falls asleep on him), and spoiling our mini golden doodle, Sadie. Sadie would like it stated for the record that she is the real star of this relationship. From lifeguard stands and accidental first dates to cross-country flights and a dog with main-character energy, our story has been full of laughter, surprises, and so much love. And now, we can’t wait to write the next part—together, forever, and hopefully with fewer contagious illnesses.