It all started with a Candy Gram. Back in 8th grade, I decided to shoot my shot the only way a middle schooler could—by sending sweets and a (probably less sweet) note Krysta's way. Three years of waiting later, I still couldn't seem to catch her eye. But through mutual friends, I was able to ask her to junior prom, and she finally said yes. Then came the friend zone. They say timing is everything, and we weren't quite in a place to start a relationship. We drifted a bit, but I never stopped thinking about her. I would still trade seats to get closer to her desk every day in Spanish class, at which point Mrs. Desautels would always scold, "Isaaaac..." A few months later, we miraculously found our way back into each other's lives. Sharing a lane on the unified bowling team, I sent her a text about a finished game on October 26, 2021. There hasn't been a day we haven't talked since. On December 30, 2021, I asked her to "make things official"—perhaps not quite the elaborate "pop the question" moment a girl like Krysta deserves. Through the years, we've grown side-by-side, through school, work, and constant change. We weathered both long-distance and medium-distance (yes, there's a difference), learning how to love each other while longing for a day where we didn't have to say "goodnight" over text or the phone. On December 30, 2024, exactly three years after I popped the first question, I couldn't wait any longer for that day to come. I asked Krysta to marry me, and she responded by nearly giving herself whiplash by shaking her head up and down (I took that as a yes). I gave her a ring, but she gave me an even greater gift—the chance to be loved by a girl with such a warm heart and beautiful smile. From that first Candy Gram to this new chapter, we've chosen each other through all kinds of seasons. We're so excited to finally step into this new chapter together, and even more grateful that we get to celebrate it surrounded by the people who have supported us along the way. Thank you for being part of our story!