The way our lives have intertwined and intersected far before we knew we wanted something more from each other are one of those beautiful things that I think the universe speaks to us through. We had met each other in our much younger years, and had touched the same circles of people for so long without ever coming close. When I was a senior and she was a freshman, we finally began to significantly form our own bonds. I was her senior and she was my fish in high school band, we were in the same theatre class and have intense stories of shared drama (including a real slap to the face and being dropped backstage), and we inevitably spent many hours together on buses and in high school auditoriums sharing the insecurities of being a teenager and finding comfort in each other. But I graduated and expected to leave that small town behind with only the most sporadic visits back. Sure, I returned to watch her perform in MacBeth, and I saw her march at homecoming, but the distance and time made those moments pleasant but brief interactions. It wouldn't be until years later when Covid had us all questioning our lives that our paths would significantly cross again.

In March of 2021, Anthony finally convinced his friend, Adam, to move back to Texas. How better to resolve living through a pandemic than moving in together, splitting rent in a giant house, and seeking solace in the comfort of friends and community? Adam's only caveat was that his sister who had been living with him the last 2 years had to be invited as well. But of course! The more the merrier! And Becca's life intertwined with mine again. While I was thrilled at the idea of more people (and even cheaper rent), I was apprehensive - I am particular about how I live and my expectations of those around me, would Becca fit in with that? It had been a decade since I had spent any real time with her, what would that look like? What kind of person had she become? Within days of moving in together my questions were answered and my concerns assuaged. Not only did she bring more joy and laughter to our home, but she had become the kindest person I have ever met - to me and the people she was close to, but to every single person we interacted with, and most importantly (for me), she was endlessly kind and patient with Staci. It was only a matter of days of living together that I realized the trouble I was in, and confided in my brothers I was developing a crush.

A couple of weeks later after some drunken shenanigans and casual flirting, we began exploring the benefits to our friendship. I can easily admit that I fell quickly and hard for her, as is my nature. I tried and failed miserably to play it cool, I was determined to enjoy what we had in the moment but was constantly daydreaming about our future, and I was always questioning every decision I was making in regards to her. But I finally gave in on November 19, 2021 and told her I love her. And she said it back 2 months later on January 6, 2022. We went to New York in June and saw 7 shows on Broadway in 4 days. We spent countless trips to Austin for concerts, marching band contests, and raves. She taught me more about League of Legends and we went to San Fransisco to see Worlds. We spent another year making each other happy, bringing more and more pieces of our lives together, and I started to find life without her unimaginable. I finally proposed on her birthday, December 15th, 2022. And she made me certain I was the luckiest person alive when she said yes.

Now we live in Denver where our family is building our lives, where she continues to show me all of the kindness and greatest levels of patience to me and everyone around us. She renews my energy and I hope to bring her happiness in each and every day she spends with me.

hello!

My journey with Ami has truly been one of the best sitcoms. The ins and outs of our relationship and the way we have been around each other since the before times is something I treasure.

It all started with Adam actually, my brother and best man. We moved to Needville while I was heading into Kindergarten, and Adam into middle school. It was then that he met Anthony, who he became fast friends with. Eventually, this led to us going to the Brazos Bend Baptist church, where I met the Horkys for the first time. We grew up and once I could start doing things with the high school band, I happily did as I had people to hang out with that I knew, namely Josh and Ami. Our friendship grew from just hanging out while her brothers were around to something more personal. I convinced Josh to take Troy as his Freshman and Ami took me as hers. We were also in Theatre together, having scenes where we were in relationships in which she screamed at me that she'd never marry me.

Well I showed her.

After high school we went our different ways, living our lives, trying to discover ourselves. Right before the pandemic, I moved back in with my brother in Shreveport and lived with him through the worst of it. Once we got to the other side, we needed a new place to live and our friends offered to let us room with them. Rent would be hella cheap! So of course we took the opportunity and moved to Sugarland with the Stringer/Horkys.

And so a new chapter started, one that changed our lives forever.

It took less than a month and we realized that the crush we had both developed for each other in high school could finally be explored. We went out, we drank, we saw musicals and plays, and within a few months we decided to officially become a Thing. Being with her helped me realize who I wanted to be, who I've always been just under the surface and she could see it. Once I came out to her, it was barely a month later and she was proposing at a little bar that we had planned to go on our first date but was closed. It was adorable; I cried. Anyway, with our future laid out for us we decided to make our way to Denver where we live happily with our brothers, husband, wives, daughter, and uncle, oh my!

That's our story for now but come to our wedding and be part of our next chapter!