finally!!!!

We first met back in October 2010, under the dim lights of our high school auditorium. Stage crew brought us together; though let’s be honest, I only joined because I kept seeing this girl with the prettiest eyes ever around school and had to get to know her. One day, during a break, I boldly ignored every empty seat around us and claimed her lap like it was always meant to be mine. I told her then and there: you’re mine. And just like that, the spark was lit. We became instant friends with an undeniable, playful flirtation bubbling just under the surface. As fate would have it, our worlds were already more connected than we realized; my little brother was dating her little cousin, and I was already friends with one of her other cousins because we had classes together. Small world? Probably, but I like to think of it as just the universe doing its thing. We dated for a little while after I graduated (she was a year behind me) and even gave it another go later down the line. But timing wasn’t on our side... yet. Despite everything, we stayed close. Like, best friend close. The kind of close that survives exes, life changes, and bad timing... twice. Then came 2024. Out of the blue, I sent her a flirty text. She flung one right back. At first, I thought we were just being our usual selves — until it started to feel different. Warmer. Realer. Right. After months of toeing the line, I finally asked her out. And on that first official date, in a cozy little restaurant with soft lighting and quiet smiles, I looked at her and knew. She was it. She always had been. So, after 13 years of friendship, missed chances, and one very bold lap sit… I finally gave in. And it’s been the greatest decision of my life. With the help of my amazing future in-laws, and her very best friend (after me of course), I pulled off a surprise proposal. It wasn’t the beach scene I wanted, but it was exactly what she needed — heartfelt, simple, us. These days, you’ll find us just like we were many moons ago: sharing Chinese food and pizza, laughing until our stomachs hurt, binge-watching horror movies like we’re preparing for the apocalypse, planning little getaways, and shopping like closet, or cabinet, space isn’t real. We’ve always been the kind of people who makes ridiculous (yet very serious) contracts for everything — including marriage. Yes, we will have a marriage contract. No legal jargon, just love, laughs, and a few clauses about foot rubs and who gets the last slice of pizza. After moving in together, we added cooking side by side to the mix — usually with music playing, jokes flying, and at least one dance break in the kitchen. We’re two fonts of the same person. Goofballs in love. Soulmates who took the scenic route. And now, after all these years, it’s finally our forever after.