From high school sweethearts, to four years of long-distance, to moving states together, renovating our home, and getting a dog to begin our “family,” we have spent years together celebrating many milestones and persevering through many life changes. Our love story began in the town of Monroe, NC where we lived as neighbors. Our friendship began when riding to school together, which eventually developed into a deeper connection. With no plan of dating due to going away to separate colleges, our relationship only continued to blossom. Through four years of traveling back and forth for visits, our love continued to grow and strengthen over time, which led us both to agree our connection was worth the distance. Fast forward to post-graduation, we decided to move to Long Island, NY where Michael began his career and I attended graduate school. We renovated our home and made it our own safe haven, and then we brought home our sweet golden retriever, Teddy. We have continued to build the life we’ve dreamt of sharing together with an abundance of gratitude. After eight years of togetherness, we shared an intimate proposal at home on a rainy Sunday morning with our Teddy. There are many chapters of our love story, yet this one creates a newfound meaning of unity within our lives.