Our story begins on Dominica, a tropical island with turquoise waters and lush mountains. There, an energetic boy named Garvin Joseph met a shy girl named Kurnica Thomas. They were carefree and connected; Garvin was eight and Kurnica was six. Kurnica’s parents joined Garvin’s father’s church, and she became best friends with his younger sister. They played games, rode bikes, and threw pebbles together. Garvin saw her as a little sister, but she felt more for him. Though he didn’t know how to respond, he teased her or overprotected her. Kurnica never hid her affection, telling their church friends. Garvin was oblivious—just a kid lost in his world. When Kurnica moved to the United States at 13, they were both heartbroken. It felt like the end of something, but they never said goodbye. Years passed, and life took them in different directions. Garvin threw himself into church, music, basketball, and work. Kurnica settled with her family in Maryland, navigating school, ministry, and life’s twists and turns. “Nine years later, I created an Instagram account to expand my social media presence. One evening, I saw her name in my suggested friends list. She was stunning! I followed her and liked every picture without thinking. A few days later on August 30, 2019 she slid in my DM’s,  and we’ve talked every day since.” -Garvin “It felt like no time had passed how quickly we bonded. We moved from texts to phone calls and FaceTime, our conversations growing longer. There was an undeniable connection. I was falling for my first crush again.” -Kurnica They had late-night talks about everything, their hopes, fears, and who they were. Despite the distance, they had a bond. But it wasn’t always perfect. She sensed they were becoming more than friends. Kurnica’s childhood affections rekindled, and Garvin saw her in a new light. Sadly, life’s circumstances created friction. Due to his shortcomings, he almost lost her again. “I refused to let that happen. ‘You can be mad at me, but I’m not losing my friend.’ Those were my words to her.” -Garvin “It was exhausting, but hearing him fight for me meant the world. This kept on for nearly two years, nurturing our friendship over long-distance. Garvin moved to the States to study engineering in December 2020, and we finally met face-to-face. It was bittersweet, as he moved to Texas for school two weeks later.” -Kurnica Garvin returned to Maryland on summer break and sat with Kurnica on her parents’ couch on the 4th of July. They talked about everything, and after an intimate conversation, he asked her to be his girlfriend. It felt natural, and they both knew it was the beginning of something lasting. “Our hearts had found their way back to each other. I was certain this was the start of something real. I said yes without hesitation, knowing there was no going back.” -Kurnica  The road to marriage wasn’t easy. They faced many challenges, but their love endured. With patience, understanding, and support, they navigated their individual and collective journeys. The next few years brought growth, love, and support. Despite distance, their connection strengthened. As time passed, Garvin marveled at the woman she had become—his childhood crush, now his partner, equal, and best friend. He knew it was time. With family and close friends’ help, Garvin planned an elaborate proposal that reflected his love and devotion. On May 31, 2024, he asked her to marry him. Their families and friends were awestruck, witnessing the childhood friend kneeling before her and her joyful response. From Dominica to this beautiful moment, their journey was a testament to love, patience, and understanding. Garvin and Kurnica’s friendship blossomed into love, and they now walk into the future hand in hand. The story of their meeting wasn’t just about finding love; it was about realizing that love had always been there, waiting to be discovered, nurtured, and cherished. That spark from decades ago was love all along.