We met freshman year of college through a mutual friend, just two people in the same circle figuring life out. What started as simple conversations grew into an easy, dependable friendship, full of laughs, late-night FaceTimes, and years of showing up for each other. We were friends for seven years, best friends for four, and during COVID became each other’s closest support systems and confidants. In 2023, we decided to see if there could be more—and it was the best decision we’ve ever made. We didn’t just fall in love. We grew into it, root by root, year by year.

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