Like all great love stories, ours began with a touch of innocence and a dash of youthful charm—two middle schoolers claiming our love for one another while nervously avoiding each other on the couch we were too shy to share. That sweet first chapter ended before high school began, but life had more in store. By freshman year, Joey found himself getting butterflies again, this time in art class. Yet our paths continued to diverge and it wasn’t until junior year that he finally worked up the courage to make his move. From that moment, our story truly began. High school brought adventures both big and small— from wandering our favorite hiking trails hand in hand, to enjoying countless meals at Rapid Fired Pizza, to snuggling on the same couch we once sat on opposite sides of. As college quickly approached, we thought breaking up might be our best choice to ensure we both had the chance to grow and evolve on our own. But two weeks apart showed us what we already knew: our story wasn’t over and growth was possible together. For three years, we navigated a two-hour gap between schools—a breeze compared to what came next. After graduation, I took a leap of faith and moved to Wisconsin seeking a new adventure, but suddenly, seven hours stood between us. Those ten months apart were full of love, tears, daily FaceTimes, a lot of travel, and immense personal growth. Eventually, Joey made the leap, moving to Wisconsin with no plan except knowing life was better together. Over the years, we've had the joy of watching each other evolve and blossom through life’s many chapters—school, careers, moves, and major milestones, but each moment has been a gift, shaping the love we share today. As we stand on the brink of this next chapter, preparing to say “I do,” we reflect on how far we’ve come—from the middle school dance floor to building a life filled with laughter, adventure, and unwavering love. This is just the beginning of our forever, and we can’t wait to kick it off with you by our side! -Tiyanna