Allison and myself first met as kids. At this time we knew each other through my sister, Emily. Allison played volleyball with Emily and as they got closer through sports I began to see more and more of Alli. One thing I remember vividly from this time is how funny and easy it was to be around Alli. She was just a naturally fun and vibrant person, and I have found that these traits are still present and still the first thing I notice.

Truly though I believe that the story of Allison and myself has roots that go much deeper. The world has a funny way of connecting people. Sometimes it's only after we become who we were meant to be that those connections become apparent. Interestingly enough, our parents actually lived on the same street when I was born. Even after our parents moved, Allison and I lived within a couple miles of each other for the duration of our childhood. The roots of our relationship stretch back to before we can even remember.

Fast forward some time, Allison and I only really knew each other through Emily. At the time I thought of her as my little sister’s cool friend, and I am sure that I was just Emily’s snarky older brother. Eventually as we grew older we got busier doing our own thing. I saw less and less of Allison. In my mind, looking back now, this was a pivotal time. I am sure that no high schooler knows who they are, or what they are going to become. Experience helps shape a person into who they will eventually be. For myself, my time in college changed me quite a bit, for the better I’d like to think. However this would be a period of time where Allison and I had seemingly no connection or path towards each other. Looking back is interesting because now It is very obvious that every decision I made in college, good or bad, put me on a direct collision course with her.

After finally graduating with a degree in history and intentions to teach, I lived unemployed, with my parents, with absolutely no money. This of course, is the time when Allison entered my life again. I still remember it like it was just yesterday. It was right at the end of summer break. I was with Tim at our local HEB. While he was looking at all the different cuts of beef I was standing by the cart impatiently waiting. All the sudden I saw Allison, I knew it was her immediately. There in that moment I was stunned at how absolutely gorgeous she was. Alli was walking around with her juiceland hat and new balances just doing her thing. At the time I did not know that she had already seen me, in my panicked state I was doing all I could to try and make sure I was not recognized. Thoughts of how the conversation would go filled my head, “are you working? no. Where are you staying? My parents. What have you been up to? Playing video games.” This conversation could not happen. So bright and beautiful I could only steal glances at her. I was both relieved and regretful not getting a chance to talk with her. As fate would have it though I would soon land a job working for Leander ISD. I had no idea Alli already worked for the district but soon our paths crossed again at the annual Continuous improvement conference. Well I didn't know our paths crossed but Alli did. Spotting me and my goofy hair from across the courtyard Allison saw me eating lunch with my Co Worker. While we did not talk at CIC this sighting prompted Allison to reach out to my sister again. This was the beginning of our reunion.

After talking, Allison and Emily decided to hang out again. To my surprise, this included me. This was the beginning of December of 2023. For the first time in close to a decade, Allsion and I were hanging out. We were all playing pickleball and it was a really fun time, so much so that we all went out to eat dinner that night. After eating at chuys and catching up properly we all went home with the intention of hanging out again soon. Soon would be the following week where we sat down at Alli’s house and watched a movie. Now I had been interested in Allison since I saw her at HEB, but it was around this time that I built up the nerve to ask her out on a date. After that movie night, I got Allison's phone number from my sister and texted her. After some small talk I asked Allison out to dinner and soon we were sitting across from each other at Potbelly’s sandwiches. This was the beginning of Allison and I’s journey together. Since that first date Alli and I have spent as much time together as possible. In the time since we started dating it feels like we have already experienced so much. I truly could not imagine life without her now, and I am so glad I get to spend the rest of my life with her.

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