Alex and I went way back to high school. He always had a crush on me, and eventually, he mustered up the courage to ask me out. Despite his nerves, he asked me to go on a date, but before he could finish, I friendzoned him. I agreed to go out with him anyway, thinking it would be a casual outing between friends.

Our date was awkward. We went out, but it wasn't the best date I'd ever been on. All we talked about was football, which didn’t help ease the awkwardness. While Alex was sweet and clearly still liked me, I just wasn't interested and ended up blowing him off.

After high school, we both lost touch with each other as life took us in different directions. We went to different colleges, made new friends, and pursued our own paths. It seemed like our brief connection was just a distant memory.

Fast forward several years to just before my senior year of college. One day, out of the blue, Nolan, one of McCoy's friends, took my phone and liked a super old Instagram picture of Alex. I didn’t notice at first, but it led to an unexpected series of events. Shortly after, Alex Snapchatted me. He started calling, and eventually, he took me out to Cracker Barrel for our first date. Even then, I wasn't quite sold.

But Alex didn't give up. He kept coming around, consistently showing up and being there for me. Over time, I realized what a blessing he was and how he seemed to be an answered prayer. Alex always told me that my curly hair was what caught his attention the most, though he would often remind me that he also fell for my great personality.

The Lord knew exactly what both of us needed and provided abundantly. What started as a second chance turned into a beautiful relationship that neither of us expected. Alex turned out to be just what I needed, and our story became one of patience, persistence, and unexpected blessings. We both found in each other more than we ever imagined, realizing that God's plan was far greater than our own.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

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