Josh and Elice met in middle school, though they were never close. They shared a friend group, but their interactions were limited to teasing each other, constantly getting on each other’s nerves. They never really clicked, and yet, there was something about their constant back-and-forth bickering that made the memories stick. High school came, and they barely spoke as friends. However, during junior year, something unexpected happened—they ended up being in the same class, and with alphabetical seating arrangements, they had no choice but to talk. It wasn't instant, but as time passed, they became friends. Josh was the guy who would relentlessly tease Elice, like the time Elice wore contacts and Josh kept calling her the green Hulk—a nickname that got under her skin. But as time passed, Elice found herself offering to help him with classwork, specifically an essay assignment. Little did she know that simple gesture would be the start of something much deeper. As their friendship grew, especially with Josh's basketball season in full swing, they spent more time together. Elice’s sister became Josh’s ride to the games, and of course, Elice was there too. But it wasn’t until one night, after one of his games, that everything changed. They were sitting in a fast-food restaurant in Yigo, eating McDonald's, when Elice and her sister got into an argument. Unexpectedly, that same night prompted Josh to reach out to Elice on Snapchat. From that point on, their conversations deepened, and their friendship began to evolve into something more. Becoming a couple wasn’t easy. They faced judgment and uncertainty, but through it all, they held on to one another. On March 21st, 2018, Elice said yes to Josh, and their high school journey together became one they both cherished. They celebrated milestones like Elice getting into nursing school, Josh passing his ASVAB, their high school graduation, and eventually, Josh’s achievement of becoming a firefighter. After graduation, life presented yet another challenge: distance. Elice was about to attend college in the Philippines, and Josh was preparing to leave for basic training. It was a new chapter for both of them, and they weren’t sure how the distance would affect their relationship, especially with the added hurdles of COVID. But with trust, love, and support from their families and faith, they made it through. Now, as Elice graduated from college and they’re seeing the dreams they once talked about in high school come to life, they have reached the next step in their journey— getting married. After all these years, Josh proposed, and now they are planning their wedding and preparing to begin the next chapter of their story together. What started with teasing, annoying each other, and a few bumps along the way has turned into a love that feels unbreakable. We’ve grown together, supported one another through it all, and now we’re ready for forever.