In the summer of 2011, I attended “6th grade academy” at East Lee Middle School where Luke and I were in the same class. I didn't talk to Luke more than the basic introductions, but I definitely noticed him. At our open house, I waved to him hoping that he would remember me - at first, I thought he didn't (because he looked at me so scared-eyed), but he eventually waved back. We weren't assigned to the same classes, but had a lot of mutual friends. I came to learn that all of his friends from Broadway had such nice things to say about him! Fast forward to 7th grade, we were finally in classes together and we became best friends - we texted a lot and FaceTiming at 9:00 every night became our thing! In eighth grade, we were again assigned the same classes; I remember our friends continually asking when we would start dating, but Luke and I never really talked about it. On February 14, 2013 (typical middle school boy picking Valentine's Day) Luke asked me to be his girlfriend in Mr. Barnhart's science class. It was the most comfortable yes ever! Since then, we have shared endless laughs and memories and have even more to come!

I was making the transition from 5th to 6th grade and pretty nervous about it. I attended 6th grade academy and while I knew some people there from Broadway Elementary school, there were a lot of people that I had yet to meet. Chloe was coming from Deep River, the other elementary school in the district. I got assigned to my class and remember this cute girl who sat relatively close to me, and was very friendly and always smiling and giggling. I was very shy, but remember thinking that I hoped I got the chance to meet her sometime. I go to 6th grade open house a couple weeks later with a lot of nerves. As I rounded the corner down the 6th grade hall I noticed on the other side was the same cute girl from my academy class. The next thing you know her face got real red, she smiled, and she gave me a sweet, subtle wave. I waved back, and remember thinking wow, she actually remembered me! The rest of my day was made, and I was excited for school to start for once. I remember that day just like it was yesterday. I knew she was special. And little did I know, I had just met my best friend, and future wife all in that one sweet moment.