We met as freshmen at North Paulding High School—young, unsure, and just trying to make it through those first chaotic weeks of high school. We didn’t know then that we were meeting someone who would change everything.

Over the next two years, we built a friendship that felt effortless. We were there for each other through every test, every late-night talk, every small moment that didn’t seem like much at the time but ended up meaning everything. We laughed a lot, leaned on each other when things got hard, and learned what it meant to really show up for someone.

Falling for each other didn’t happen all at once—it was slow, natural, and steady. One day, we looked at each other and realized we didn’t just get along—we were meant to be.

Now, all these years later, we’re still each other’s best friend. Only now, we get to call it love—and soon, marriage.