It was August of 2008 when we started our freshman year at La Salle High School. Little did we know that our second period English class would be the start of a lifelong friendship. We quickly bonded over the fact that Andrew’s dad and my mom are dentists. It’s not everyday that you meet another teenager that has the words “diastema” and “bruxism” in their vocabularies. Our friendship grew over those 4 years and it was clear that there was a true connection. We kept in touch after graduation and throughout college as good friends. Eventually, we relied on social media for updates on each other, like when Andrew moved to Ireland for school.

In June of 2022 we reconnected when Andrew was home for the Summer. We met up to catch up at a local restaurant. Once the nerves wore off, we shared many laughs as we went down memory lane. Andrew even brought up how I was voted Best Smile for our senior class. He shook his head as he said the words “Best Smile,” perhaps the wound was still fresh. As I got home, I received a text from Andrew asking to go on an actual date. Several dates later, our friendship blossomed into deeper feelings. It was then that we knew that we were meant to be. This was also when I finally admitted that I voted for Andrew for best smile because his smile is my “favorite smile.”

On June 30, 2023, Andrew got down on one knee and it was the easiest “yes” I have ever said. We are incredibly excited and feel so lucky that we get to marry our best friend.