The first time I met Chris, he was running to cannonball into the pool in August of 2021. We were both at Jaisa and Hope's birthday party and he had just come from Home Depot. We flirted back and forth all night, Chris being the outgoing bartender, trying to give away a kiss with a drink, then me being a little sassy saying with, "No thanks, just a straw!" We played games that night, strategically sitting next to each other and sharing some honey chipotle chicken crispers hehe.

The next day or so, I got a follow on Instagram then nothing until January of the next year! Jaisa had invited both of us to a dinner with friends and neither of us knew the other was going to be there. We again flirted back and forth all night, and then he conveniently slid into the DMs on Instagram, and we talked for a couple of days that week. Saturday we were both at Jaisa and Matt's Wedding shower (which me and Abby crashed to possibly see him). Following the shower, they were all going to see My So Called Band, so I quickly bought a ticket to go to the concert with our friends!

After that night, we had an official first date planned for Monday night. We went to Cafe 501 and talked for hours (we went back the next year because we thought the food was also good, turns out we were just so enthralled with each other we didn't really taste the food haha). A few dates later at the Bradford House, we became "officially" dating! Ever since then, Chris has been my best friend, constant encourager, always making me laugh, feel loved, and making me want to be the best version of myself. I am so thankful for him, and cannot wait to marry him and celebrate with our closest friends and family!

The first time I saw Grace, she lounged "gracefully" on the pool, discussing, I can only assume, the hunk that just arrived. I had just come from Home Depot, ready to cool off. My only logical move was to do as many tricks off the diving board to impress this stunning woman. Unfortunately, none of my flips, kicks, or dives garnered any reaction from Grace. Around dinner time, our relationship had progressed to sharing our Chicken Crispers. I turned into the bartender for the night, mixing drinks for all who asked. One drink, "It's too sweet". Second try, "I don't like whiskey." At least I was learning something about her. The third try, "I'll just have a beer." So I am not a great mixologist, whatever. We spent the rest of the night dancing, singing, and playing board games—a classic sleepover. The following day, we cleaned up and went home. I did the gentlemanly thing and waited three days to follow her on Instagram. We did not interact for six months, not for lack of trying. We had a common friend leaving town for a month, so I wanted to throw her a going away party and invite Grace. I tried throwing her a welcome home party when that fell through—any way to see Grace. Several times, we were both invited to an event, but only one of us ever went. I went to three Halloween parties because I thought Grace might be there. So I do not have a lot of game, whatever. Time and time again, we missed each other. Until one fateful day at the end of January, we finally saw each other again, and the rest is history. Great things come to those who wait. I am so glad I waited.