Forever & Always

On October 7th of 2016, during Brandon’s senior year and Ava’s freshman year, Brandon asked Ava to take a picture on Class Color Day after she had caught his eye. Brandon later took to Instagram posting the photo with the caption “Class Color Bae.” This is where it all began… Later that year Ava cheered for Brandon during the 2016/2017 Highland basketball season, where the two became closer. They continued to see each other daily, in the halls of Highland high school. Ava fell head over heels in love with him, and he was even her first kiss. Although the timing wasn’t right then, Ava always held a special place in Brandon’s heart. After Brandon graduated in 2017, Ava feared this would be the end of their friendship and the last time she saw him. However, they kept in contact and the following year, Brandon gifted Ava a $50 bill on Christmas Eve that he had written “Merry Christmas Future Wifey,” on. She swore she’d never spend it and still has it to this day, 7 years later. They remained friends throughout the rest of Ava’s highschool years, but their relationship was inconsistent due to the different phases of life that they were in. During Ava’s senior year the two reconnected and got to know each other again. After catching up on all the time that had passed, the two realized that they had grown to be much different people than before. The potential for something more than what their friendship had been, became apparent to Brandon. The two began spending time together when Brandon wasn’t at Paramedic School. Then COVID occurred and the world shut down, making life feel chaotic and uncertain. The two found peace and comfort within each other's presence. They began going for late night drives, listening to music, and talking about all life has to offer. Once again, the two became very close and although they didn’t know it at the time, they really started falling for one another. On August 14th of 2020, Brandon officially asked Ava to be his girlfriend and without hesitation, she said yes. A few months after they started dating, their relationship was tested and they faced a very difficult chapter together. They had faith that the love they shared was strong enough to pull through. They stuck by each other’s side through thick and thin, they weathered the storm together and grew an unconditional love, an unbreakable bond. That was when they knew they’d made it, that they’d marry each other one day. In early 2021, Ava got her real estate license and began her new adult career at the age of 18. Brandon worked as a paramedic, and was also working towards earning his firefighter I & II certifications. After many months of schooling, hard work, and long hours, Brandon finally became a Firefighter at the age of 22 and got hired at the departments of Seven Hills and Avon Lake. The two celebrated their 2 year anniversary, then started looking to purchase their first home and move out together. In January of 2023, Brandon and Ava bought their first home together, and of course, Ava was their realtor. After living together for about a year, Brandon realized it was time and he got ready to pop the question. On February 4th of 2024, with the help of family and friends, Brandon got down on one knee, and asked Ava to marry him.