Mark and I met in July of 2016 when I transferred to his school district, and the Shelleys—being the warm and welcoming family they are—quickly brought me in. I soon became best friends with Mark's sisters, Rachel and Grace, and they wasted no time scheming to set us up. Fast forward to January 2017: Mark and I found ourselves talking at a gas station after a basketball game when he accidentally knocked my phone to the ground. I immediately convinced him that he’d shattered the screen. Little did he know, the screen had already been cracked. Feeling incredibly guilty and asking if there was anything he could do to make it up to me, I had him right where I wanted him… I told him he could take me on a date. Although I don’t recommend starting relationships on a lie, I don’t regret my 16 year old self’s courageousness for a second, as it led to the event we are celebrating now in 2026.