I remember the day I met Blake vividly. He walked into work wearing a bright smile and a flat cap, and I thought to myself, “I like him already.” I introduced myself and jokingly asked if I could call him "Bell-AWK-ay." We both laughed a little too much and in that instant, it was clear we were destined to be friends. From that moment, I felt like I had met my Blake. Fast forward a few months: after countless conversations and endless laughter, we were two peas in a pod, brightening each other's workdays. Then, that summer, Blake invited me to meet his family and celebrate the Fourth of July together. Our friendship deepened, and by the end of the summer, we became roommates. Then Covid struck. For the next two years, we became each other's rock, navigating the ups and downs of the pandemic together. We spent countless nights watching both new and old TV shows, cooking new recipes in the kitchen, playing board and card games to pass the time, and bonding over road trips. It was during this time that we realized our connection had blossomed into something more. We decided to start dating, knowing this was just the beginning of a grand adventure that both of our families had been patiently awaiting. On a beautiful September day, we took the leap into a relationship that has continued to grow in so many wonderful ways. The idea that we both get to be unapologetically ourselves, loving the fun silly side as well as the serious side at the same time is simply the best! What we cherish most about our relationship is the friendship, laughter, kindness, patience, and love that fills our days. It’s in the quiet moments—catching sweet glances, exchanging "I love you’s" from different rooms, and sharing silly jokes just to hear the other laugh—that we find our greatest joy. Together, we’ve built a friendship that has turned into forever, and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next.