A Love Story 10 Years in the Making In the summer of 2015, two teenagers—Melissa, 15, and Joel, 16—crossed paths for the first time at a casual hangout arranged by mutual friends. It was nothing more than small talk and smiles, a moment that seemed like it would fade with time. But fate had other plans. Weeks later, a “To Be Honest” post on Facebook rekindled that spark. Joel slid into Melissa’s messages with a shy but charming honesty, and from there, their story began. Their teenage years became a scrapbook of shared memories: Melissa’s first job at Subway, Joel’s shifts at a local hardware store, those nerve-wracking moments learning to drive, and their unforgettable high school proms. By senior year, they were both working at Walgreens, laughing in the breakroom and stealing glances during slow shifts. Then came college—and the challenge of distance. Melissa moved to Milwaukee to study nursing at UWM, while Joel stayed local and enrolled in a technical college to become an electrician. The miles didn’t break them; they only strengthened the bond. Countless weekend visits, video calls, and care packages later, Melissa returned home as a registered nurse, and Joel with his electrician certification. They saved together—bit by bit—turning dreams into plans. They bought their first home, filled with both excitement and IKEA furniture. And then, in June of 2024, Joel knew it was time to make it forever. The Proposal: A Sunset in Puerto Vallarta Joel had the perfect plan: a vacation proposal in Puerto Vallarta. He took Melissa out to dinner at a stunning seaside restaurant. But while Melissa was happily taking pictures of her food and indulging in every bite, Joel was silently panicking. The mariachi band was booked for 7:00 p.m., and it was already 7:30. The sun was sinking fast. When Melissa excused herself to the bathroom, Joel whispered to the server to bring the check immediately—no more drinks, no delays. He had one shot at this. As they left the restaurant, he quickly ordered an Uber. “Let’s go watch the last bit of the sunset,” he told her, masking his nerves. They arrived at a small, quiet beach with rock-lined cliffs. To get down, they had to descend a set of stairs carved into the stone. Melissa hesitated, clutching Joel’s arm. “I don’t want to go down there. It’s too late. Let’s just go back.” But Joel couldn’t wait any longer. He looked her in the eyes, heart pounding, and said, “I know this is long overdue, but it’s happening.” Curious, Melissa peeked over the edge. “Omg… it’s really happening.” Down the steps they went—and there, on the beach below, stood her cousin, her sister, and their boyfriends, surrounded by roses and lit by the last golden rays of sunset. A professional photographer captured every precious moment, and a mariachi band played the first chords of a love song. Joel got down on one knee. Melissa said yes. Now & Forever Over the past decade, Joel and Melissa have grown up together. They’ve traveled, celebrated, struggled, laughed, and dreamed side by side. From Facebook chats to wedding vows, their journey is more than a love story—it’s a testament to loyalty, patience, and growing in love. Now, they’re ready for their next chapter: marriage, unity, and God’s blessing on the bond they’ve cherished since they were just teenagers. And to think—it all started with a “TBH.”