Josh and Xan first crossed paths in junior high. They had briefly heard of each other in 7th grade, but with no real interaction (and with Xan off social media), their worlds stayed separate. That all changed in 8th grade. Both had signed up for a beginning ballroom dance class. Neither expected anything more than learning some dance routines. Little did they know that those dances would foreshadow the rhythm of a future together. At the time, though, it was nothing serious. Josh had Xan’s mom as his English teacher, and Xan was busy doing her own thing (he was squirrelly, she was bitchy). Neither of them thought dating each other would ever happen. From Friends to Something More Fast forward to the end of 9th grade and the beginning of 10th grade. By then, Josh and Xan started spending more time together. Life was busy; both had been in and out of a few relationships, but friendship kept pulling them closer. That spring, they both joined the school musical, Anything Goes. Hours of rehearsals, laughs, and shared memories brought them together in new ways. With every practice, every scene, and every moment spent backstage, it became harder to ignore the spark between them. The Turning Point After a bit of “will they, won’t they,” things started to shift. Just after Xan’s birthday, Josh and Xan decided to take a chance, despite what others might have thought. They went for it, and the story really began. Their first kiss happened outside Xan’s Financial Literacy classroom at Pleasant Grove High School— a moment that might not have looked like much to passersby, but meant everything to them. While the official start date is a little fuzzy, Josh and Xan like to say their relationship officially began on February 1, 2019. The Love Story That Followed What started in junior high grew into something deeper, steadier, and more meaningful with time. Through high school memories, challenges, celebrations, and everyday moments, Josh and Xan built not just a relationship but a true partnership. From dance steps to musicals, late-night talks to first milestones, their story is woven with laughter, courage, and the choice to grow together. What began as two kids who thought they would never date became the love story that brought them here.