We met more than 30 years ago in a young-adult Bible study at Malmstrom AFB, MT — we've been good friends ever since. Things changed earlier this year, when Mark called me with some good news. We started talking and texting — A LOT — because he lives in Virginia and I'm in Colorado. Dates were movie watch parties. A 30-year friendship is a great foundation for a relationship, and it became obvious very quickly where things seemed headed. I visited him in Virginia in May/June, and he came out to Colorado in July. After his visit, it wasn't a matter of if we'd get married but when.