Our love story began on an impromptu date to see a Texas Rangers baseball game. Even though we had never met, we talked effortlessly for hours about everything, from Instagram philosophies to Kya showing off her beat-boxing talent. Despite the Rangers finding the loss column that day, our newfound friendship found its first win. We discovered a connection we both knew was truly rare and special. Our next date came two weeks later at an outdoor taco shop. With live music by Muscadine Bloodline, we found ourselves learning how to two-step in the parking lot before building up the courage to join the dance floor. Our final dance that night was to “Pieces”, a song that would forever hold a special place in both our hearts. It was that night that we knew our friendship was quickly growing into something more. Spinning around the dance floor was just the start as every date from then on was like an adventure. As the experiences built up, so did our feelings for each other and our love for doing life together. Making our relationship official at the end of that summer marked the beginning of our crazy life together, and it was on a weekend trip to Austin early that fall that I knew I wanted to make her my wife one day. We were both so thankful to have found each other and were ready to take on the world together. That test would come quickly when, that January, I received the opportunity to get a long awaited hip surgery. Six months after first meeting, we would embark on a surgery and recovery journey together that would truly put our relationship to the test. It was during this time that we fully saw each other’s true colors, and while challenging, it taught us to fully trust, rely on, and love each other. From the highs of undefeated volleyball seasons and grad-school graduations to the lows of mourning the losses of loved ones together, we have never left each others sides. Through caring and dedicated hearts, we have learned to love each other forever and always and be there to support and take on the world together. Like the leap of faith we took on our first date together, to our first dance, first overnight trip, to moving in together, and now to our engagement. I know we will always be there for each other and never hesitate to take the next leap of faith together that life throws our way. By being together, we have awoken love within one another that we preciously didn’t know was there. A love to travel together, cook and try new foods and most importantly, an ability to love unconditionally together. We can’t wait to continue writing our love story together and kick it off by sharing this special day with friends, family, and those in our lives who we love most as husband and wife.