We first met at Keller Jr. High. We were hardly fond of each other. I thought Mike was a bit of a troublemaker, and he saw me as nothing more than a snooty 12-year-old girl. Despite running in the same circles, our paths rarely intersected.

It wasn't until a chance encounter at a party, just out of high school, that our story truly began. Surprisingly, we hit it off instantly. Our connection was undeniable, and soon we were inseparable. Our whirlwind romance flourished around 1999-2000, but like many young loves, it eventually faded, leading us to part ways.

Over the years, we sporadically checked in on each other, but life took us in different directions. Then, during the quarantine, fate intervened once again. At a small gathering, amidst laughter and games, I mustered the courage to ask Mike the question that had lingered in the air between us for years: "Are you ever going to kiss me?"

Without hesitation, he leaned in, and in that moment, it felt as if time had stood still. The love we shared all those years ago was still palpable, reigniting with a newfound intensity.

As we reconnected, it became clear that our bond was stronger than ever. With four beautiful children between us and now, two grandchildren on the way, our love

had endured the test of time. It was a love that had waited patiently in the wings, ready to blossom once again.

Now, 24 years later, we stand on the precipice of a new chapter in our lives. We're thrilled to announce that we're getting married, surrounded by the love and support of our family and friends. Our journey may have taken unexpected twists and turns, but we wouldn't change a single moment. Here's to love, laughter, and happily ever after.

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