It all began on the first Wednesday of winter quarter 2017 at Western Washington University. I was readying myself for the first day of Comm 101 when in walked a tall, grinning guy with a backwards Mariners snapback and a worn North Face jacket. I did the classic rom com double take but quickly turned my attention back to the front of the room because small groups were being assigned. As it turned out, the sporty stranger was a leader of the small group that I was assigned to, and I couldn't believe my luck. What a cinematic beginning to our story. The perfect meet cute. And it would have been, had either of us uttered one word.

Alas, I was too shy and studious, and he was focused on educating our group on a good attention getter, citing our sources, and love sandwiches - a truly horrific name for constructive feedback. We reached the end of our quarter together. I gave him five stars on his instructor report card, and I ended with a A- in the class which he claims was not his fault. On the last day of class, not only did he forget to bring snacks for the entire group, but he also forgot to profess his undying love for me. So began the waiting game...

We had a lecture together in the spring, but we never made contact as much as I tried to subtly catch his eye several rows back. The school year ended, and the next began with us in yet another class together. This time we did say hello and chatted on occasion. Both hoping to spend more time together but never making the first move. That class concluded with no sign of a relationship on the horizon. Finally, nearing the end of spring quarter of 2018, he finally asked me on a date, over a year since the first time we met. And the rest is history :)

One could say that we are written in the stars, two souls destined to intertwine. Another could say that we have persevered through missed connections, graduations, covid, long-distance, and the random pitfalls of life. I'd say we are both. A couple who was forged together by fate, and two people who choose each other above all else because we know how lucky we are to find our true love.

So thank you to room 217 where we met; the hallway in the basement of the Comm building where you asked me on our first date; and Lake Padden where we discovered the one other person at Western who likes country music. Thank you to Bellingham, for being a magical place to fall in love. Thank you to our favorite parks, our first apartment, and every field, gymnasium, stadium, and arena we have played and watched sports together - I've lost count. Thank you to our family and friends who have been with us these last 7 years. We are honored to have you celebrate with us.

And thank you to Christopher, for making loving you as easy as taking a breath. I can't wait to marry you.