I won’t lie, I've fled St. Louis three separate times (twice to different countries), and I never thought I would find someone to love who has always been right here at home. But, to Taylor Swift’s credit, I know what the Invisible String theory is, and I now know that it's always been there for Bailey and me. He was always just a few short steps away, starting all the way back with living in the same subdivision when we were one year old, to figuring out that we were running in the same friend groups in high school, and meeting again at our temporary jobs after college; our invisible string was always there. I grew up in the same house that my parents brought me home from the hospital to until 2023 when they finally moved out. Unbeknownst to anyone, Bailey and his family spent a year living in the very same subdivision with Bailey’s grandparents, until they moved just a few miles away. Since being together, Bailey and I have figured out that we likely met in passing, spending time with neighborhood family friends when we were that little, but nothing ever came from it. We were friends from afar during high school, maybe sparing a passing wave in the hallway as we chatted with closer friends, or being on opposite sides of the room at the same homecoming parties. Bailey and his soccer teammates would come to volleyball games where I was happily sitting on the bench, and I watched him sing at many choir concerts. But again, nothing real started. Then we went to opposite sides of the country for college at Purdue (boiler up!) and BYU, setting a five year pause on any interaction. After graduating, we both (somewhat reluctantly) moved back to St. Louis and found ourselves working at a Crumbl Cookies while trying to find our ways into our respective careers. This is where Bailey fell first. I innocently thought I was just making a new old friend as our work friendship grew. I have since found out Bailey was day dreaming about me while on vacation around this time, and I will admit, I did notice my mood plummet anytime I thought I was going to see him at work and it didn't end up happening. One day, at eight in the morning I might add, Bailey walked into Crumbl to harmlessly buy a cookie, but he also “happened” to tell me he had an “extra” ticket to the Cardinals game the next day and asked if I would go with him. I excitedly agreed and went on about my work day. Flash forward to the next evening, I’m panicked and pacing while waiting for Bailey to pick me up – it had finally clicked in my head that this was indeed a date, and the nerves set in. My poor mom had to witness the whole thing. However, from the second I sat down in the car, all the nerves vanished; neither of us shut up the entire time. We were both instantly comfortable and the rest is history. This was the last time Bailey ever paid more attention to me than a sports game. Bailey called his best friend after he dropped me off that night, swearing that he was gonna marry this girl. He knew well before I was willing to admit it that we were going to spend our lives together. He might not love Taylor Swift and her Invisible String theory as much as I do, but there is no denying the painfully close proximity we’ve had. Bailey feels like coming home in the best way, and I could not be more thankful for our meandering timeline. We found our way to each other exactly when we needed to. I always think about the signs time gave me and the clues I didn’t see. It’s just so pretty to think, all along there was some invisible string tying him to me, and me to him, helping us to find our way home. Thank you to each and every one of you for being a part of our journey. We are eternally grateful to have you all in our lives; we cannot wait to celebrate with you soon! With love, The Future Mrs. Silva