It all began at the end of 2020 when Lily first laid eyes on CJ. She thought he was incredibly cute, but with a few years between them, she never imagined they’d end up together. At the time, Lily was starting her freshman year, and CJ was a junior in high school. Their lives were on different tracks, but fate had other plans. They found themselves in the same friend group, constantly crossing paths, sharing inside jokes, and slowly becoming a part of each other’s world. What started as a casual friendship turned into something more. By March 2021, something had shifted. The laughs lasted longer, the conversations grew deeper, and butterflies began to flutter. Late-night talks started to feel like more than just friendship—like they were both quietly wondering, Could this be something real? On October 1st, 2021, everything changed. Lily and CJ officially became a couple, and from then on, they were inseparable. Whether it was hanging out after school, going on little adventures, or doing absolutely nothing together, it always felt like time well spent. Days felt lighter. Everything made more sense when they were together. The summer of 2022 was one they’ll never forget—filled with late-night drives, stargazing, gas station snack runs, shared playlists, and so many “remember when” moments. But underneath the laughter was a bittersweet truth: Lily had plans to move to Tennessee with her family. Even though long distance scared them, they didn’t let it stop their love. That summer, every hug lasted longer and every goodbye was harder. Once Lily moved, they began the hard part—nine months of long distance. It tested their love and patience. They leaned on FaceTime calls, sweet texts, and visits every other month. It wasn’t easy, but it made their bond even stronger. They learned how to support each other from afar and love through the distance. In April 2023, Lily convinced her parents to let CJ move in with them. On May 9th, he did just that—leaving behind what he knew to be with the girl he loved. Just like that, the long-distance chapter ended, and a new one began. Every little moment—dinners together, movie nights, sunset walks—felt like magic. They spent weekends camping, hiking, and making memories with Lily’s family, grateful for the simple things they had once missed. Then came March 18th, 2024—the proposal day. But let’s rewind first. That morning, Lily had surgery to remove an ingrown toenail. (Yes, really.) Her foot was numb, wrapped in gauze, and she was hobbling around. Despite that, CJ insisted on taking her out that morning. So there she was—limping through the woods, CJ led her to a quiet lake overlook where he had laid out blankets and brought Dunkin’. The sun was rising, the air was crisp, and the world felt still. Then, right there on that overlook, CJ got down on one knee and asked Lily to be his forever. Numb foot and all, Lily laughed through happy tears and said yes. It was sweet, heartfelt, a little chaotic—and completely perfect. They rushed home, beaming, and shared the news with family and friends. Now, after everything they’ve been through—from high school hallways to FaceTime calls, from Tennessee sunsets to donut-fueled proposals—CJ and Lily are finally getting ready to say “I do” on the exact day their love story began: October 1st. This is their story. A love that came unexpectedly, grew naturally, and stayed strong through time, distance, and everything in between. And now, we can’t wait to start this next chapter of forever—surrounded by all the people who’ve loved and supported us from the beginning.