It all started in the fall of sixth grade, when we both had a crush on each other. Back then, we had iPods, and Instagram was the social media app everyone was on. I posted a picture that said I would comment “done” once my crush liked it. I remember sitting there refreshing my feed over and over, waiting to see if the cute and athletic Luke Barkeim would like my post. When he finally did, I immediately commented “done." Soon, there was talk about who my crush was, and I think Luke knew all along. He kept asking me about it, and I kept playing it off like I had no idea what he was talking about. Then, on October 2nd, 2013 at exactly 10:20 p.m. (yes, I wrote the exact date and time down in my iPod notes), I gathered the courage to ask Luke to be my boyfriend and he said yes! It might not have been the most romantic, but we both really liked each other and thought it was pretty cool that we were dating. For about a year or two, our relationship consisted of smiling and saying hi in the hallways and texting each other on our iPods. Eventually, we started spending time together outside of school and would spend any time we could together. On July 12th, 2025, Luke proposed to me on a trip up north! It was the best day ever! We have experienced every stage of life together: middle school, high school, college, getting engaged, and now getting married. We have grown together in so many stages of life. Our love story is unique and sweet. Not everyone can say they started dating in sixth grade and we wouldn’t have it any other way. 🤍