What began as a simple message online in May 2022 soon grew into something neither of us expected. Two people living miles apart (Chicago and Atlanta), in different rhythms of life, somehow found themselves lingering a little longer on each other’s words. What started as FaceTime calls, late-night deep conversations, thought-provoking questions about life, shared morals and values, and endless “tell me more” quickly became the highlight of every day. Despite the miles between us, something about our connection felt effortless and familiar — like coming home to someone we had known for much longer. Our first in-person meeting in June 2022 (Emanuel visited Marielle in Chicago) was filled with nervous excitement and an even stronger connection. Our second in-person meeting in July 2022 (Marielle visited Emanuel in Atlanta) was a beautiful confirmation of everything our hearts already knew. From there, we began our intentional courtship. We traveled back and forth, collecting stories in airports, memories in each other’s cities, and unforgettable experiences together. Every goodbye grew harder, and every reunion reminded us why the distance was worth it. We fell in love through our faith in God, consistency, honesty, and the unwavering feeling that we had finally found our person. We built a relationship on trust, patience, and the kind of love that doesn’t fade when faced with challenges. In October 2023, our relationship experienced a milestone: Marielle relocated to Georgia from Illinois. Emanuel flew to Chicago and the two drove over 600 miles to Marielle’s new Georgia residence. During our long distance road trip (sightseeing, restaurants, rest stops, and hotels), the world seemed quiet around us – we knew right then that this was the beginning of forever. Our private proposal took place on December 5, 2024 with Emanuel asking Marielle - "Forever starts now. Will you marry me?" On March 7, 2026, we look forward to celebrating not only the forever love we found, but the journey that shaped us. Our love story is proof that distance means so little when someone means so much – and that the strongest relationships are the ones that choose each other, again and again, no matter how far apart the starting lines once were.