Cody and I went to the same school growing up but were never in the same class. In a small school, you get to know everyone in your grade, even if they’ve always been just across the hall.

In third grade, I had my first crush on a boy from the other class—but I never told a soul. After all, boys were gross and had cooties. The only one who knew my secret was my diary, which required a special password to unlock. Quietly, I would whisper, “I love Cody,” and the lock would pop open, giving me a place to doodle our names inside little hearts.

Then Cody moved away, and my crush slowly faded. I had almost convinced myself it was gone completely—until a familiar face started showing up at church. And just like that, my secret crush was back.

For years, I liked Cody off and on. My best “moves” to show this were sitting next to him at church, standing by him in pictures, and partnering with him on mission trips. I must have made a lasting impression because one day, we started talking—and never stopped.

Who would’ve guessed that my third-grade secret crush would one day become my everything?

C&M

Wedding Day