Ruben and I first met during our sophomore year of high school when Ruben's brother, Julian, asked me to Homecoming. Yes, I know, it sounds like the beginning of a great love story! However, looking back, we laugh at the memory and are grateful that I was introduced to Ruben's family because of that. As time passed, we became genuine friends during our junior year. We played for the same soccer club and were part of the same friend group at school. Unfortunately, Covid hit towards the end of our junior year, but the pandemic only brought us closer. We’d arrive at soccer practice 45 minutes early (to prepare for practice, of course) and just sit in each other’s cars, talking about life. We would also carpool to practice sessions to "save gas" even though our houses were inconveniently not on the way to practice:) By our senior year, our friendship deepened, and feelings began to grow. Ruben started coming to my house regularly, joined me at church, and we spent a lot of time together. We ended up going to three proms together, but were still in denial about being anything more than friends. During the summer before college, after a serious discussion while picking blackberries (the perfect place, I know), Ruben and I decided not to pursue dating as we were going to different colleges. Well, after a month of going our separate ways, we found that while we were now 432 miles apart physically, our friendship and feelings remained steadfast. Ruben bravely booked a ticket to visit me and see my game for the weekend, and on September 18th, 2021, Rulyssa was born :) From there, it was three years of long distance, and every minute spent missing each other, every phone call, every surprise visit was worth it. During the past three years, the Lord has grown and challenged us in so many ways, and each season has made us better believers, partners, and friends. May our relationship be a testament to God's good grace and the hope and joy that we find in Him. We can't wait to celebrate with you all on this Holy and special day. "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never ends." — 1 Corinthians 13:7-8