It all started back in 8th grade with a simple moment in the hallway. A friend pointed him out, and we noticed each other for the first time. Not long after, we ended up in band together, but at the time it was just a small, passing connection we didn’t think much about. Everything really began in January of 2022 on a youth retreat. We found ourselves spending more time together—talking, laughing, and playing volleyball—and something started to shift. What began as something unexpected slowly turned into something more. Somewhere in the middle of that trip, we both realized we were interested in each other, even if we didn’t fully say it yet. Not long after, we went on our first date on March 28, 2022. We were 15, walking around the pier, getting ice cream, and talking underneath the bridge getting to know each other. It was simple, but it felt meaningful. After that, we spent the next five months talking and getting to know each other more, building a strong foundation before officially starting our relationship on July 17, 2022. Even then, we both knew we didn’t want something casual—we wanted something real. As time went on, our relationship grew deeper in all the ways that mattered. One of the most defining seasons for us was doing long distance in the fall of 2025. While it wasn’t always easy, it pushed us to grow individually and strengthened our relationship in ways we didn’t expect. We leaned into our faith during that time, spending time in Scripture and prayer together, which became such an important foundation for us. On March 11, 2026, during spring break, we took the next step in our story. On the beach at sunset, he proposed—and it was a complete surprise. Even though we had talked about getting engaged, we thought it would happen later, which made the moment even more special. Everything was thoughtfully planned, and afterward we celebrated with our closest friends and family at an engagement party—something we’ll always remember. At the heart of our relationship, we simply love being together. Whether it’s laughing about something random or getting lost in long conversations, those are the moments we cherish most. Looking ahead, we’re most excited about spending the rest of our lives side by side. We dream of building a family together and continuing to grow through every season life brings. We’re so grateful for the way God brought our story together, and we can’t wait to see all that He has ahead for us. "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." — Psalm 126:3