It all began in middle school, when we were just two kids sitting next to each other in class. At first, we were just friends. High school came, and our friendship only grew stronger. We helped each other with homework, annoyed each other, and spent countless hours talking about everything under the sun. It wasn’t romantic. It was about our favorite sports teams, the latest school gossip, or our dreams of the future. But along the way, we became each other's best friend and biggest supporter. When the time came for college, we both found ourselves a few hours apart, trying to figure out what the next chapter of our lives would look like. It wasn’t until this time that we realized that there might be something more to this friendship and decided to give being a couple a try. The long-distance thing was tough at first—phone calls, texts, and weekend visits became our lifeline. But with every mile between us, our connection only grew stronger. We discovered that distance couldn’t diminish the bond we had built; in fact, it made us more certain that this was something real, something worth fighting for. We spent late nights on the phone, long weekends driving to visit each other, and countless moments making memories—exploring new cities, attending sporting events, trips to Disney, and laughing until we couldn’t breathe. Every visit was like a piece of home, and every moment apart made us more grateful for the next time we’d be together. Then, after what felt like forever, the long distance was over. Ross was moving home and we were taking the next steps in our relationship. Starting our careers, buying a house (then taking 7 months to remodel it), and adopting a puppy. Through all the amazing and tough times that life was throwing our way, we knew one thing was certain: we would always be there for each other and continue to be each other's biggest fan. And then, one day, as we stood in the place where we had shared so many memories he got down on one knee, looked me in the eyes, and asked the question I had been waiting for. It was a simple "Yes," but the meaning behind it was everything. Now, here we are, preparing to walk down the aisle, knowing that our journey together is just beginning. From those awkward middle school days to long-distance college years, and now to the start of our forever—every moment together has been a beautiful chapter in our story. We’re ready to begin this next chapter, hand in hand, surrounded by the people we love, as we make our promises to each other—for today, tomorrow, and always.