I had my eye on Mark for about a year before I finally worked up the courage to do something about it! We got along so well right from the beginning—he was (and is) so funny and witty and kind (and cute!); I distinctly remember thinking that I could NOT believe no one else had snatched him up yet. I first started liking him in 9th grade physics class, but I didn't officially begin scheming until the fall of our sophomore year. Every year, as part of our school's homecoming festivities, each class had to put together a skit to compete against other classes, and these skits always included a partner dance. One skit practice, I was in need of a partner, and apparently feeling bold, so I asked my friend Dillon (who is now one of Mark's groomsmen!) to ask Mark if he would be my dance partner. Mark said yes, and the skit is still on Youtube to this day! After the skit, we started talking more in class, and throughout the semester, under the guise of needing help with my homework, I started planning nightly FaceTime calls with Mark and my friend Hannah. Eventually, Hannah joined these calls less and less frequently (like the good wingwoman she was!), and after many long nights of talking and little homework being done, Mark asked me to be his girlfriend! The rest is history, as they say. Over the past 9 years we’ve cheered each other on at our high school sports games, graduated high school together, spent 4 amazing years in college together at FSU (go Noles!!), spent 3 years supporting each other long distance while I finished law school and Mark started his career, and I just know the best is yet to come as we enter this season of marriage together! I will forever be grateful that the Lord brought us together and afforded us the rare and beautiful privilege of experiencing so much of life together. Mark is exactly what God knew I needed, and he balances me, grows me, and loves me in the best way—I can’t wait to get married to him! Thank you Jesus!

I remember ever since I met her, that I always loved casually talking and hanging out with Sofia. It wasn't until 9th grade in English class though that I started finding a daily liking to the pretty girl sitting across from me. Around the time (and pretty much always) I kept these feelings to myself and just kept on going about highschool. 9th Grade in our physics class is when I really got a lot of time to talk with her, and just loved how our friendship evolved. She was just so much fun to talk to, and I felt so comfortable being around her. However, after that class. Nothing. We just went about our separate ways and said we'd see each other next year. And thankfully, that we did! After becoming skit partners (thanks Dillon Larson), to getting forced to share my feelings with Sofia over facetime (thanks Chris Pappas and Kyle Martin). Our relationship was born a day before my birthday! I am so blessed to have been with her now for over 9 years and to have shared amazing dates, college memories, and growth together in our relationship. I couldn't ask for a better woman to marry, and I'm thankful to Jesus for the best birthday present I could ever receive!