What began as two teenagers working side by side as slide monitors at the YMCA in 2021 quietly grew into something neither of us expected. Between the long, hot summer days and the sunscreen, a close friendship formed—one full of love and laughter. By the time the 2022 school year arrived, we had fallen hard for each other. We spent every free moment we could together. Even though we went to different high schools, which made things challenging, nothing stopped our love from blossoming. We showed up for each other—football games, prom, and everything in between. By our second year of college, we knew we wanted more, so we moved into a small apartment together. Through late‑night study sessions, shared home‑cooked meals, and all the small routines that make up a life, our bond only deepened. On January 14th, 2026, our story reached its next milestone. With a question asked and a “yes” given without hesitation, we stepped into the future we’d been building since that first summer at the YMCA.