Hannah and I met when we were 14 at summer camp, where she had a massive crush on me because I reminded her of her crush (Tomas Broady-Sangster in Love Actually). We tried to stay close after the camp, but it didn’t work out because we lived far away, and I stopped attending youth group. It was disappointing because I liked her, but it didn’t work out - or so I thought.

It’s two years later and I decided to reconnect with some friends from my old youth group. I got dinner with them and they convinced me to try going to summer camp again (despite the fact that I left due to some issues with friends at that camp/youth group). Desperate to make the camp enjoyable, I reached out to Hannah to see if she was going and awkwardly asked if she would ride on the bus with me so I wasn’t alone (thank you so much for saying yes, quite honestly, life-changing). I arrived at the Church where the bus was picking us up, and honest to God had a love-at-first-sight moment. We had a super awkward 8-hour bus ride and a week-long camp where I (very subtly, I swear) followed her around everywhere she went. We became good friends again that week, and as seniors, we spent the last night camping outside under the stars. Our friends were lying side-by-side on the ground, and Hannah was beside me. My eyes were glued to the stars (because I’d been caught staring at her a few too many times) when I silenced the butterflies and said the best, dumbest thing I’ve ever said. “You know what’s crazy? My hands are always the coldest when we hold hands for prayer…… ….. …. See?” And grabbed her hand… … … It was terrifying but felt amazing.

I went to bed that night super proud of myself and fulfilled, ready to take on the world (my heart pounding, sweating profusely, and still jittery). After we got home from the camp (hugging everyone except for Hannah, obviously), I wanted to make sure I didn’t seem too desperate - gotta play it cool, ya know? So I waited an entire 37 minutes after saying goodbye to ask her on a date (well done Ben, pat on the back). We went on two dates before school started the next week and were dating within 14 days of re-meeting each other.

It would be nice to say that everything was perfect after that, we were happy, confident, constantly in love - but I’m glad it wasn’t that way. We never broke up or got into large fights, but we’ve been through a lot together. We had to work hard to learn how to communicate with each other, how to show each other affection, and how to be there for each other when things get tough. We’ve worked through trauma, arguments, and people trying to tell us that we aren’t good for each other. We’ve gone through so many significant life changes and an ungodly amount of unprecedented times. Through all the thick and thin, Hannah has always been the person who reminds me to be confident in myself, picks me up when I’m down, and makes me happier than anyone. There are many things I don’t know about my future, but I do know that life is more fun and easier with Hannah by my side.

So anyway, to those of you who haven’t had the honor of meeting Hannah - I’m pumped for you to get to know my best friend. She is wonderfully caring, the life of the party, and the funniest person I know. Let’s all have a great night!

Thank you for the gift! We appreciate your help as we start building our future together💕