We met in Mr. Backus' Ancient History class, and since day 1 it was obvious that she was totally into me. Her pickup line was "Hi, I'm Emily, you must be David." Classic! I was the new smooth-talking, confident homeschool kid who was definitely not nervous about his first week of real school. Maybe she was just being nice to the new kid, or maybe that’s when we fell in love. Regardless, I knew from that moment that I was all she could think about. Now, let's talk about PE. This is where I really shined. During the first week of school she said to me, and I quote, "Here. You look athletic." while handing me a wiffle ball bat because she didn’t want to be at the front of the lineup. I don't remember what happened next but I probably hit a home run. From there, her love for me only grew stronger. After many months of what my dad calls "cutesie dating", it all became a little too much for me, and she could tell. It was the beginning of the summer after freshman year of high school that she stopped talking to me, and I had to live with that. It was not until senior year that we really grew close again. I faked over 10 seizures that year so that I had an excuse to ask her to drive me places. First it was sporting events, then it was graduation parties, and then she finally asked me to go on our first date. About time... She was a true gentleman. She picked me up from my house, came in to speak with my parents, and had me back before midnight. I could not have asked for a better first date. It took me a little bit to gather the courage to ask her to be my girlfriend, but on September 24th I finally did. Three years and a couple days later we got engaged, and here we are. All joking aside, I wish it didn't take me so long to ask you out. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, and I am so excited to love you for the rest of my life.

David and I met in 2013 on the first day of high school. Though I can’t recall the exact moment we first met as well as David does, I can still picture the desks we sat in near each other every morning that first year. We share a lot of fun little memories from our freshman year: playing words with friends online every night, using homework as an excuse to email each other, eating lunch together one day “as a joke,” and that one time I went up to him in gym class and when he turned around and saw it was me his face completely lit up (that moment totally gave him away.... and I’m pretty sure I’ll never forget it). Even though it took a few more years of individual growth before the Lord had finished preparing us to start dating, I think a part of me always knew not to give up on that little freshman year crush. I’m not sure if David had the same feeling, but after tricking him into going on a few dates with me over the summer after graduation, he finally came around! :) That summer was like a fairytale- dancing barefoot in the yard, chasing after fireworks, listening to music in the car, and saying goodbye in the rain. The next few years were filled with weekend trips, movie dates over facetime, surprise visits, countless voicemails, and bad days redeemed by getting a letter in the mail. We cherished every summer day and every holiday break we got to spend together with our families, and the Lord blessed us each with an amazing group of friends to support us and pour into us while we were apart. After 4 years of friendship, I said yes to start dating. 3 years later, I said yes to get engaged. Now, I can’t wait to stand in front of all of you and say YES to being married!!! David, I love you & I can’t wait to marry you!!