After knowing each other for more than a decade, there’s a lot to tell with our story! I don’t remember when I met Noah—I don’t know if i ever did!! He’s just always been there. My earliest memory of him is fifth or sixth grade in kids church. I specifically remember thinking it was interesting that he snorted when he laughed. I also remember thinking that he sure didn’t say much, but when he did, it was funny. His humor was so dry I didn’t know if it was supposed to be a joke or not. From then on I have little scenes sprinkled throughout my memory of late middle school together. Junior high was when we started to become friends, although I truly knew nothing about him other than he was a little bit emo and wore fingerless gloves. Fast forward to high school, we had started a sweet friendship amidst our other friends. I learned a bit about his story, knew things like which girls he was interested in, we shared a lot of fun memories, and always thought he was kind and had a gentle disposition. I had no idea how the rest would unfold!!!! Late high school, I went through some rough times, and my sweet friends carried me through it. Noah stood out to me in this. He had a sweet spirit and was more loyal than anyone I had ever met. We started to grow closer, and i noticed how he took care of me—I always felt loved and secure. Everyone else saw our close friendship moving in a new direction, but I sure played dumb. Noah told me just how much he loved me in October of 2019. That New Year's Eve, I finally admitted to him that I felt exactly the same. From then, we grew into ourselves, grew into each other, and learned a whole, whole lot. I always thought it would be special to marry someone I grew up with, but I sure had no idea just how sweet it would turn out!!!! Xoxo, Rachael Rachael and I met a long long time ago; back then we barely knew each other except through kids’ church and I only have a couple of memories of her. I only really became aware of her after she’d come back from D.C. and we were both in youth group. Our youth group wasn’t that big and Rachael often had a lot to add. Rachael had been babysitting my brother for a few years and we were friends because of that but I wasn’t home very much so we didn’t interact on any larger scale. A lot changed during our junior year of high school, I became more invested in the youth group and formed a group of friends there that included Rachael. We became close friends quickly and I loved being able to spend time with her. It wasn’t until nearly halfway through that first semester of senior year that I realized I was interested in Rachael as a lot more than just a friend. I asked her out soon after that and with more time spent together and my irresistible charm she agreed to try this new journey on New Year’s Eve of 2019 right at midnight. We had both already decided to go to Union at that point which made everything easier in figuring out our relationship. College has been a time of growth and love for both of us. Every year I feel like I know everything about her and every year we go back I always learn more about her and from her. At Union, she has pushed me to do things I never would have alone and supported me whenever I needed it. We have both grown and changed so much together at Union but there is no one I would rather have by my side for it. Love, Noah