First comes friendship, then comes forever!First comes friendship, then comes forever!

Our story began in the winter of 2010 on the campus of UNC Charlotte. Snow was falling, and outside the Lynch Hall dorm, Andrew was in the parking lot doing donuts in his car; carefree, playful, and completely unaware that a single moment would change the course of our lives. One of us was steady, quiet, and grounded. The other was bold, loud, and full of life. We noticed each other that night, different in so many ways, yet instantly connected. What started as a spontaneous moment became the beginning of something far deeper. From that night on, friendship became the thread that stitched our lives together. For ten years, we grew side by side; not as a couple, but as best friends. We shared laughter, secrets, late-night conversations, and seasons of becoming. Long before romance, we learned how to trust one another, how to show up, and how to choose each other. That friendship became our foundation, even before we realized it would one day carry the weight of love, commitment, and family. When life shifted, everything shifted. As we prepared to welcome our first son, our bond deepened in ways we could never have anticipated. What had always been friendship grew into something undeniable. Through doctor’s appointments, hospital stays, uncertainty, and fear, Andrew showed up with steady presence and unwavering commitment. In those moments, love stopped being a feeling and became a choice, one we made daily. What makes us work is that we are beautifully opposite. Andrew is the anchor; steady, dependable, and grounding. He is the calm in the chaos and the safe place to land. I am the dreamer; expressive, affectionate, and always encouraging him to open his heart, dream bigger, and care for himself as deeply as he cares for others. Together, we balance one another, offering both freedom and security. At the center of our story is friendship. It has always been the foundation of everything we are. From snow falling outside Lynch Hall to sleepless nights with babies, from life’s chaos to its quietest moments, our love has remained rooted in the bond we formed first as friends. And so our story continues, chapter by chapter. We don’t know every turn ahead, but we know this: we will face it together. Andrew is my safe place, and I am his encourager. We are best friends, partners, and lovers—and by God’s grace, our love will leave a legacy that lives on through our children and the generations to come.