Our story begins in the most classic of high school hallways—a place of hurried steps, locker slams, and whispered gossip. It was Earl’s senior year, and he was known for his theatrical flair, always the life of the party, I was the quiet art kid who preferred the hum of creativity over the buzz of social chatter. Two worlds, seemingly so different, were about to collide. It all started with a mutual friend and a Snapchat story. Earl spotted me in a Snapchat story and asked our mutual friend to introduce us. We met during a passing period, surrounded by the usual rush of students. Even though I barely said a word, that brief moment led to something unforgettable. I didn’t say much. In fact, I’m pretty sure my face was as red as the art supplies in my backpack. Earl, on the other hand, had this undeniable energy about him—a spark in his eyes, a confidence that seemed to light up the hallway. Somehow, despite my nerves and his exuberance, we found ourselves agreeing on a first date. That meeting marked the start of something neither of us could have imagined. Over the years, we’ve embraced the ways we balance each other out: Earl pulls me out of my shell with his charisma, and I’ve shown him the beauty in quiet moments. Eight years later, that passing-period encounter feels like a lifetime ago and just yesterday, all at once. We’re so excited to celebrate this next chapter with all of you—thank you for being part of our journey and for witnessing the next act of our love story.