Our story begins on the Fort Zumwalt North football field during marching band camp. At that point I was a sophomore and he was an incoming freshman. My first impression of him was that he was way too happy for six in the morning. We were in the same section, but we didn’t start getting close till the end of the year and into my junior year. We had mutual friends, so we would commonly see each other at hangouts. Eventually, both of our groups merged and we became friends ourselves.

I fell for him first in February of 2020 and remember it very vividly. We were at iHop with our friends chatting away, and his compliment about how I dressed got my heart racing. I already found him incredibly attractive and loved his personality, so this was the spark that finally lit the flame. I kept the feelings to myself for a long time out of fear that he did not reciprocate, but alas after a football game in October 2020 he walked me to his car and gave me a stuffed llama, candy, and asked me out on a date. I remember being in so much shock that all I could do was happily yell yes. I went back to my car where my best friend Olivia was waiting—she helped plan the moment with Isaac—and just screamed again out of pure joy and disbelief. THE Isaac Thorn asked me on a date. To me that was crazy.

From there the next four years were history. We had our first kiss three months after he asked me out (he wanted to me to initiate, but I was too scared to), said I love you a few weeks after, I graduated and went to UMSL, he followed a year later and went to SEMO, and each and every day I have fallen more and more in love with him. I ask myself all the time how much favor I must have in God's eyes for Him to give me Isaac because there is no doubt in my mind that he is my soulmate, and there is no one else on this Earth that could make me as happy as he does. He has been with me through my darkest moments and seen the ugliest parts of myself, but he still chooses to love me every single day.

Cut to December of 2023 and Isaac, my siblings with their significant others, and I went to the Garden Glow at the Botanical Gardens. I was a little suspicious that this would be the time he would propose, but I wasn’t confident. We were about seven-ninths of the way done with the park, so I figured that it just wasn’t the day. But when we stopped for a picture by the blue tree they have every year, lo and behold did he prove me wrong. I turned around and there he was on his knee saying sweet nothings and asking me to marry him. I said yes, of course. I love you, Isaac Andrew Thorn, and I can’t wait to marry you.

"I don't think I want to date any more high school girls," I said to my friends at iHop following a recent breakup. I was a sophomore who was ready to focus on myself and my academics rather than occupy my time with girl fever. Julia, who sat at that table, would later inform me that she eyed her best friend next to her, mumbled "Welp," and awkwardly took a sip of her drink.

As 2020 roiled onward, that group of friends suddenly found itself physically isolated, but we often bonded over our online assignments, the ridiculousness of doing band over Webex, and our worries and concerns of the time. We were able to gather periodically over the summertime, and a general need for human connection outside of our families drew us closer. As the marching band season continued with four-step spacing, masks on when not playing, and "Sweet Caroline," I began to gather the subtle hints of interest being dropped to me by Julia and our friends. Assigned spots next to each other in the "stands" (the hill beside the field) for home football games, Julia and I had the opportunity to chat for several hours over the next couple of months.

I became conflicted. Julia was the kindest person I ever met, passionate about animals and science, and a great individual to hang around. She was understanding, compassionate, and sincere. I had convinced myself that I shouldn't date another high school girl, but Julia stood out from the rest. I knew she was likely into me, and I knew she was someone I couldn't let life whisk away. Then came the thought that I didn't deserve her, that she was on a pedestal I couldn't attain, that my brokenness shouldn't be allowed to taint her perfection. Of course, these thoughts were irrational, and it took a heartfelt conversation with our friend who hyped me up for me to gather the courage to ask her out.

After the last football game of the season, we walked to the parking lot together, chatting away. I guided her to my car where I offered her a date at Olive Garden (her favorite place), a stuffed llama, and a bag of gummy bears. She squealed in jubilation as she exclaimed, "Yes!" After a hug, I drove her to her car... which was a few spaces away. Regardless of the silliness, the ride meant a lot to both of us. As I drove away, I took my turn screaming excitedly in my car.

It was the beginning of a beautiful companionship. It is one fraught with me getting quarantined four times (the first literally three days after asking her out; I never contracted COVID), battling the stress of academics and work, overcoming internal fears and worries, handling a distanced relationship, and navigating effective, healthy communication with another human being. It is also one blooming with acts of service, encouragement and admiration, comfort and understanding, time and dedication, and optimism about the future. From our first kiss, to our first "I love you," to the cute photos, to the fun activities, to the ring on her finger, everything has come naturally. Julia is my best friend and lifelong partner, and I couldn't imagine the rest of my life without her at my side.