We’ve been together for nine years—long enough to know that love isn’t just about the easy moments. It’s about the growth, the struggles, and the choice to keep showing up for each other every single day. Our relationship has never been perfect, but it’s always been ours, and that’s what makes it special.

When we first got together, we were just two people figuring things out, learning how to be partners, and navigating life together. We weren’t the same people we are now. We’ve changed, sometimes in ways we never expected, but somehow, we’ve always found our way back to each other.

Over the years, we’ve faced challenges that tested us—bad habits that needed breaking, communication that needed improving, and moments where it would’ve been easier to walk away. But we didn’t. Instead, we learned how to grow with each other rather than apart.

Rodney worked on himself, becoming more self-aware, more present, and more supportive. Charlie learned how to express love in ways that mattered, even when it didn’t come naturally. We both learned that love isn’t just about how you feel in the good times; it’s about what you do when things get hard.

And through it all, we’ve never stopped having fun together. Whether it’s geeking out over our favorite games, blasting punk rock music, or making each other laugh over the dumbest things, we’ve built a life that’s uniquely us. We balance each other in ways that don’t always make sense to others but fit together perfectly for us.

Now, as we step into this next chapter—engagement, marriage, and whatever comes after—we’re not just celebrating where we’ve been. We’re looking forward to everything still ahead. Because after nine years, one thing is certain: we’ll always choose each other.

Registry