The year was 2016. The place was Alta Loma High School. What began as our very first relationship quietly became the start of a lifelong love story. Danzig and I met during my junior year and his senior year, introduced by a mutual friend after I noticed a very tall football player wearing #11. Being fairly tall myself, my wish was simple: to find someone who made me feel small. At 6'3", Danzig did exactly that. My rom-com dream of the head cheerleader dating the varsity football player quickly became real life. We shared so many “firsts” together—countless dates, Homecoming, Prom, and memories that still feel just as sweet. After high school, life led us down separate paths. I pursued my Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Redlands, while Danzig pursued his career. Though we were apart, our hearts never fully let go. We both tried other relationships, only to realize we were searching for something that already existed between us. After countless dreams of each other, it became clear—our story wasn’t finished. During COVID, we found our way back to one another, beginning again as “just friends.” It didn’t take long before we realized we had never truly stopped choosing each other. Together, we grew through life’s milestones. I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, and Danzig become a project manager at Gregco and later opened his own company, G2. Side by side, we built a partnership rooted in love, resilience, and shared dreams. In June of 2025, during a trip to Cambria, Danzig asked me to spend forever with him. Despite unexpected winds and a last-minute change of plans, he created the most perfect moment on the beach—complete with a photographer tucked away in the trees to capture it all. It was the most anticipated moment of my life and the easiest “yes” I’ve ever said. The celebration continued when we arrived at my parents’ home to find both of our families waiting to surprise us. Just days later, we moved into our little apartment in Monrovia, where we now spend our days filled with evening walks, endless hangout time, and more inside jokes than we can count. We are beyond excited to officially begin the future we once daydreamed about while standing in line for the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. We are so grateful to our family and friends for being part of this incredible day—one that has truly been in the making since 2016. We can’t wait to cellabrate together. Cheers! - Marcella and Danzig