Mark and Emma’s story began nearly eight years ago, the summer before their senior year of high school, thanks to mutual friend (and unofficial matchmaker), Maysie. After Maysie showed a picture of Emma to Mark, he added her on Instagram and Snapchat, and—like any true conversation between two 17-year-olds—it all began with a Snapchat. At the time, Emma was out of town for volleyball, talking to Maysie nonstop about this boy named Mark. The moment she got back home, they finally met in person. Mark showed up with an iced coffee from Dunkin’ (something anyone knows scored him instant brownie points), shook her dad’s hand, and off they went—with Maysie and a friend tagging along, helping two 17-year-olds navigate what they somehow knew was the start of something special. At Mark’s house, they played the first of many pool volleyball games together… and the rest was history. From that day on, they found every excuse to spend more time together. Mark went to every volleyball game; Emma went to every baseball game. And when Emma left for college, they learned how to love—and grow—through long distance. Today, they share a home full of love, laughter, two dogs who think they run the place, and countless cozy TV nights. They can’t wait to step into this next chapter of life, hand in hand, just as they’ve always done.