When Victoria’s beloved school closed in 2020, she was heartbroken. She couldn’t imagine loving another school the same way or feeling that spark for teaching again. Enter: SFX — a new place, new students, and, though she didn’t know it yet, someone very special working just one floor above her. Upstairs in the middle school was Matthew. From the very first faculty meeting, he noticed the new teacher downstairs and thought she was adorable. He still talks about the day he made her laugh once during a meeting — a proud achievement he’s been holding onto ever since. Meanwhile, Victoria spent the year teaching 3rd grade, walking past Matthew’s classroom without so much as a “hi.” (It was truly nothing against him - that's just how Victoria lives her life in general.) At the end of the school year, Victoria learned she’d be moving up to teach middle school. What she didn’t know was that Matthew had casually suggested her for the job (some might call that destiny… others might call it strategic planning). When Matthew dropped off some books to help her prepare for her new role, what was supposed to be a quick visit turned into hours of easy conversation and laughter. Victoria likes to say that’s when Matthew fell in love with her. Matthew hasn't denied it. Once they began working side by side, they instantly clicked. Their friendship grew effortlessly, filled with shared jokes, lesson plans, and the occasional “are they flirting?” whispers from their students. Victoria was sure they were just becoming great friends; Matthew was secretly hoping she’d catch on. Eventually, they started spending time together outside of school — and Victoria quickly(ish) realized she was falling for him too. A few months later, they officially started dating, and everything just fell into place. It was the easiest, most natural thing in the world — something that felt like it should have always been there. When it came time to propose, Matthew knew there was only one place that truly made sense — the school where their story first began. Though the building had since closed, it still held the memories of those early days: the hallways where they first passed each other, the classroom where they shared their first real laugh, and the place where friendship quietly turned into something so much more. Matthew took Victoria on a tour of every meaningful spot, each one filled with little reminders of how it all started — the moments that, at the time, seemed small but would later become the foundation of their love story. When they reached his old classroom, Victoria was met with a surprise — many of the students they had taught together were waiting there, smiling and trying their best to sneak a peek at what was about to happen. Inside that familiar room, surrounded by memories and the laughter of their students outside the door, Matthew got down on one knee and asked Victoria to marry him. It was the perfect full-circle moment — the place that once brought them together had now become the place where they promised forever. Sometimes, the best love stories start with a hallway crush, a slightly clueless and perhaps standoffish woman, and the courage to say, “Hey, maybe there’s something more here.” And now Matthew and Victoria can't wait to celebrate their beautiful love with the people they care about the most.