Troy and I first crossed paths in the Fall of 2016 during the Cross Country season. At that time, we were just acquaintances, but a memorable moment at Troy’s final senior race made a lasting impression on me. He decided to sprint out at the start of the race, just so he could say he was in first place, even if only for a brief moment. I found this to be hilarious and it sparked my interest in getting to know him better. Fast forward to the spring semester, and our paths aligned more frequently. We both walked the same route to our PE class, and I took it upon myself to text Troy - letting him know we’d be walking together every day. I didn’t give him much of a choice—I just didn’t want to walk alone!! Troy was a bit embarrassed to be seen with a sophomore, but he went along with it. As the weeks went by, I found myself enjoying our time together more and more. With the same gym membership, I saw the perfect opportunity to spend more time with Troy. I asked him to teach me how to lift weights, hoping to see him more often. My plan worked, and soon we were working out together several times a week. That’s when the butterflies really started! :) Troy eventually picked up on my feelings and asked me out on a date. On April 26, 2017, we went to Andy’s for ice cream, and after we finished, he kissed me. It was a sweet beginning to what would become an incredible journey. Our summer together was wonderful, but I was nervous about falling for someone who would soon be heading off to college while I still had 2 years of high school left. Mid-summer, I told Troy that if our relationship was going to continue, I needed to know how he felt about staying together once he left. He made the right choice, and we embarked on a long-distance journey that tested and strengthened our love. Since then, our love has spanned countless miles, from STL to Rolla, Rolla to Springfield, STL to Springfield, STL to KC, STL to Dallas, and even STL to Vancouver, WA. Each distance only made our bond stronger and our hearts fuller. Our journey has been filled with adventure, laughter, and unwavering support for one another. As we stand on the brink of this new chapter, we are excited to share this special moment with you and look forward to a lifetime of love, laughter, and new adventures together.