Nathan and I first met as kids, our paths crossing each summer through 4-H. We’d see each other at the Todd County Fair and again at the State Fair, where amid the laughter and livestock, a quiet friendship began to blossom. Year after year, we'd reconnect like no time had passed at all. It wasn’t until the summer after high school that we realized our friendship had grown into something more. We began dating, even though we knew college would keep us apart. Long-distance wasn’t easy, but it taught us to treasure every stolen weekend, every holiday break, every moment we got to spend together. Then came the evening I’ll never forget. The State Fair was alive with all the familiar sights and sounds—our special place. As we reached the top of the Ferris wheel, Nathan turned to me and asked the question that would change our lives forever. And right there, surrounded by the echoes of every summer that brought us closer, I said yes.