We were both two odd art school kids who didn't quite fit in anywhere, or so it felt. Our families found us kind of weird and our friends were never really sure what to expect from us. We met at our friends home and hit it off right away, the way you do in college. (He won't let me show you the pictures) We spent three straight days together, I'll never forget on our first real date at Tria he told me "I'm going to marry you" I was hell bent on independence and did not find this appealing. However, his desire to push me into new scenarios, running up hills as a fun activity, expressing myself without fear, exploring others; were very appealing to me. He was something new, something beautiful.

Despite his romantic pleas and my underlying feelings, we eventually went our separate ways romantically and enjoyed each other as friends. We shared creative endeavors, reminders of our past, and deep conversation. I had a habit of calling him while traveling, whether to California, through Europe, or even just during my short trips out of town to visit friends. Looking back I now know this was my connection to a home I had lost years before. He was my home, even though I didn't know it yet. He comforted me with stories and passionate explanations of art and life. He listened to me as I spoke through whatever kind of experience I was going through and pushed me to create. During a trip to Sicily, I reached out with my usual "Traveling always makes me think of you" This led to long conversations, staying up late, a huge phone bill that Nana had to pay and Jonas insisting he visit me in Philadelphia upon my return. He arrived only a few weeks later with his camera and his honest eyes. I was vulnerable and available, he was pleasantly surprised. I had learned, that love does not discourage independence. There are people that will push you, make you better, love you no matter what, encourage you to take risks and believe in yourself, and he was one of those people.

Airports became even more romantic than before, meetings in Florida, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey continued for a year until we decided to move in together. This was the first big decision that we made, together. The idea of NJ, PA, or CO was not out of the question. He was willing to do "whatever I wanted" The mountains were a risk, a new beginning, something I had never done before. He flew out to drive across country with me. His ever encouraging family supported us, my family gushed over Jonas and together we eventually found a home, adopted a puppy, experienced countless new things, and an ever growing love. He proposed to me during a pandemic, without a job, staying in his parents house. None of that mattered. We knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together and nothing was going to change that. Without a doubt, neither of us expected a love so great. We cannot wait to see what the future holds. The challenges, the changes, and the everlasting beautiful moments. We look forward to traveling, learning, growing and turning grey with one another.