I first met her at church, a place where faith brought us together. As I spotted her for the first time, I couldn’t help but point her out to my friends, captivated by her warmth and smile. From that moment on, I was always looking for opportunities to strike up small talks with her, hoping to get closer and learn more about the girl who had unknowingly captured my heart.

One day, I gathered the courage to contact her through Facebook Messenger. To my surprise, she replied! That first small talk felt like a breakthrough, igniting a spark of hope within me.

When my birthday rolled around, she sent me a simple text message to greet me. That gesture filled me with so much joy; it made my day brighter. From then on, I found myself texting her regularly, even though she seemed less interested. But I was determined. No amount of rejection, even when it happened in front of our friends, would deter me from pursuing her.

December 26, 2011, marks the start of our relationship, our unofficial anniversary. It was a day that began with the promise of something beautiful. I remember planning a pool party for her 18th birthday, celebrating with friends and creating memories that would last a lifetime.

Fast forward to 2022, the year I took the plunge and proposed to her. Our journey together has not been without struggles and problems, but we faced each challenge hand in hand. I know I’ve made my mistakes along the way, sometimes even making her cry. Yet, through it all, I promised myself that I would make up for every misstep until my last breath. I want her to remember only how deeply I cared and loved her.

As we continue our journey together, I cherish each moment, knowing that my heart will always belong to her.