We have known each other since we were 12 years old, meeting one summer, officially, during a youth swimming program. We have both lived in Hemet/San Jacinto, California, most of our lives. We both went to the same churches, just at different mass times. We would see each other at family friends’ parties and get togethers. In 2015-2016, I had moved around the corner from Cynthia and that is when our friendship began to truly blossom. It started with bike rides with my sisters, then emails of planning hangouts. I was attending San Jacinto High School and Cynthia was attending Hemet High School. The end of our Junior year of high school approached and with that came prom. April 14th, 2016, I made Cynthia and her parents a large chocolate chip cookie. I walked to Cynthia’s house, rang her doorbell, and had a Question for her and her parents. Junior Prom was on our minds as I asked Cynthia and her parents if I could join her at her prom. After a long discussion regarding intentions, pre-made plans, and expectations with Cynthia’s parents, we finally turned to Cynthia to make the final decision. My heart leapt for joy as she jumped up saying “YES!” As May approached, and with it prom, we practiced dancing together for the first time. Our friendship continued to grow and with prom on May 14th, 2016, I realized for the first time Cynthia was truly the girl I wanted to love for the rest of my life. Since that day I have been courting Cynthia. We have become the best of friends and now the happiest of couples. God has truly blessed us with the lives he has given us together, and we are so excited for the future of Friendship, Love, and God’s Grace. Because of Cynthia, I have learned that true Love must have three things to truly thrive: a foundation of God’s Love, for we can only love because He first loved us; a willingness to love, respect, and understand one another; and true, unconditional, sacrificial love, like Jesus Christ has for His church.