merrily ever after

Andy and I crossed paths for the first time on my 16th birthday on April 7th, 2015. Although we went to a very small high school where everyone knew each other, we never really noticed one another until this day. I had arrived early to school in hopes that my friends were already there. For some reason, this morning in particular was quieter than usual, and there was barely anyone in sight. I decided instead of waiting by myself in the lunch room, I would go to my locker. As if out of a movie, it was at this moment that Andy and I were walking towards each other; just the two of us in this big hallway that was usually swarmed with students at this hour. We both locked eyes at the same time, and there was a silent pull between the two of us that only we could feel and understand. We continued walking, curious and unable to break the stare we both had on each other. Eventually, I reached my locker and Andy continued walking past me. We both turned our heads one last time before he disappeared into the lunch room. Confused by what just happened, it was like nothing either of us had experienced before. I went about my day as usual, not really thinking much about the mysterious boy who liked to stare. A week later, this random boy who was in the grade above me and who I never saw until just recently, just so happened to also be in the same project week as me! Quite the coincidence if you ask me... From then on, we continued exchanging playful glances at each other, which eventually turned into us talking everyday once he made the first move the following week. After a minor fallout during summer '15 (which Andy likes to frequently refer to as the time I broke his heart), we immediately rekindled in the new school year and officially started dating on November 2, 2015. Proms, high school graduations, college graduations, trips, anniversaries, and everything in between, we have been together ever since. Fast forward to 2024, after many months of me kindly "harassing" Andy and all of my close friends and family about him proposing soon, he indeed proposed to me on our 9th anniversary on November 2, 2024. It was everything I had ever dreamed of, with all of our loved ones in the same room; a proposal and surprise engagement party in one. Seeing the love of my life on one knee, tears streaming down his face while I also cry uncontrollably, changed my brain chemistry completely and is something that will always be ingrained in my mind as one of the best days of my life. It was an unforgettable day, and at least we know he'll be crying at the altar! In all seriousness, growing up together has truly been such a blessing that not many people in our generation get to experience. In a society where marriage is no longer valued, we always knew that we were different and that we would be Husband and Wife one day. From time to time, we like to reflect on my birthday in 2015 and how we knew since that moment in the hallway, we were meant to be. It may sound cliché, but it truly was love at first sight. It was as if at that moment, the world had stopped and it was just us two. Just two kids at the time, we knew it was God that brought us together. He knew how much we needed each other. Andy and I have grown so much individually and together throughout the years as we have navigated through ups and downs, just like any couple. Throughout it all, we have never lost sight of each other and continue to build a foundation centered around God; where we will raise our family and build a life we have always talked about. Now that we are engaged and planning our wedding, we only have gratitude for the ability to be able to celebrate our love with all of our loved ones, most of which have been able to witness our story from the very beginning. We are so blessed, and want to especially thank our parents for creating us! Without you, we would have never met. Thank you for enrolling two teenage soulmates at a tiny charter school in Hyde Park, MA.