Who could have imagined that after all these years, after all the twists and turns, we’d end up here—hand in hand, on the brink of forever? Thirty years ago, at Hackensack High School, our lives were beginning, and the seeds of something extraordinary were quietly planted. I’ll never forget sitting in the bleachers, cheering #23 on as he dribbled down the court—cool and collected, calm in a way that made him stand out. My heart would race as I watched him, effortlessly in control, exuding a quiet confidence that left me in awe. Rufus wasn’t just handsome; there was something about him that drew me in, something my teenage heart didn’t fully understand at the time. We were both too shy to say anything, but I couldn’t help but admire him from afar—a cheer captain with a secret crush on #23. Little did I know, he was watching me too, keeping his quiet affection tucked away. We are opposites now, as we’ve always been—me, the social butterfly, and him, my silent, unwavering rock, whose quiet strength and steady confidence make me feel safe and grounded. Yet, even in those early years, there was something that made me think I was always meant to be near him. He is my anchor—the one who celebrates who I am while being the strength behind me. He makes me feel safe and cherished, rooted in his love while giving me wings to be my truest self. After high school, life took us in separate directions. We moved on, each of us growing, learning, and becoming who we were always meant to be—but never knowing that God was quietly writing a story for us, one that would bring us back to each other. Time passed, and though we were far apart, there was always a pull, an undeniable connection that neither of us could fully shake. Then, by what seemed like pure chance—a simple mistake, a Facebook post I left by accident—it felt, in hindsight, like God’s whisper, urging us to reconnect. It was a nudge we couldn’t ignore, and now, looking back, we see how perfectly He orchestrated that moment. It was no mistake, but part of His perfect timing, a reminder that what was meant to be could never truly fade away; and now here we are, ready to build the future we’ve always dreamed of, with a love years in the making. Our love isn’t the fairytale we imagined as teenagers. It’s so much more. It’s the story of two hearts that were always meant to find each other, even when life tried to keep us apart. It’s a love that grew quietly, patiently, over time—tested by distance and circumstance, but never losing its depth or beauty. A love shaped and refined by time, made stronger by the waiting, more precious for the years we spent apart. Through it all, we’ve learned to trust that God’s timing is always perfect. What we have now—this love, this life we’re about to build together—has always been part of His plan. It’s the culmination of years of waiting, growing, and trusting. By grace and destiny, our story has come full circle. And as we stand side by side, we know that every moment of this journey—no matter how long or winding—has been worth the wait. Here’s to us: a love stronger for the years it waited, more precious for the time we lost. Here’s to our ‘couple of forevers’—a love that doesn’t just live in the moment but stretches across time, growing and evolving each year. It’s the kind of love that feels meant to be—a love that doesn’t fade but grows more precious every day. Our story took 30 years to unfold, but every second was worth it because it was written in God’s perfect time. Now that we’ve found each other, there is no doubt: God’s plan has always been unfolding, and this love is the one we were always meant to share. Here’s to forever, in His perfect time. With every step, we grow closer, knowing our love will continue to grow stronger. We’ll walk into the future with hearts full of faith, knowing we’ve found exactly what we were meant to. Here’s to FOREVER to our beautiful story we’ve yet to live and to a love that has never stopped growing.