When we first met in college—and this is Jessica’s favorite story to tell—I was a Resident Assistant for one of her friends who lived on my floor. Jessica was this shy, gym-rat-loving girl who would practically scurry away anytime she saw me because she was too nervous to talk to pretty girls. Neither of us realized it then, but that little hallway awkwardness was the beginning of something incredible. From there, we quickly became my absolute favorite book trope: friends to lovers. What started as an easy, instant friendship grew into something deeper—something that felt like home from the very beginning. Before long, we were dating and building a life together, one adventure at a time. From hopping between apartments and figuring out adulthood to cheering each other on through every new chapter—Jessica joining law enforcement, me navigating career changes—we grew side by side. Through everything, she has always been right by my side: steady, supportive, and full of love. On a beautiful October day in Maryland, while visiting family, she took me to the beach and asked me to marry her. The sun, the waves, the moment—everything was perfect. It was truly the best day ever. Our story has been filled with laughter, growth, challenges, and so much joy. And now, we can’t wait to keep writing the rest of our lives together