Few stories have ever come close to illustrating the kind of beauty contained in that of Bella and mine. Ours is one of unique essence; something even the most famous fable couldn't attempt to replicate. Try to put yourself in the mind of the author, as if to create for yourself a tale of romance unparalleled in the modern world. Imagine a classic Hallmark, pure in form. The dashing man from the country, the city girl visiting for Christmas; you know the one. Now, quickly crumple up the paper and toss it out the window...

The start of this story is found in a stuffy hallway, between the strange fusion of acne-ridden preteens and an excessive use of axe body spray. The social experiment of middle school is an unlikely place for love it's true, however for one scrawny kid, it was simply meant to be. In the fall of 2016, the back of my head became a daily visual for my eighth grade science teacher. The new girl from Texas seemed to be of much more importance to me. Sitting at the back lab station was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen; she was mesmerizing. Bella had the kindest eyes that sort of sparkled when she spoke, and fiery red hair that bounced along to the joy of her personality. My first three class periods with Bella were both torture and tremendous comfort; ever the more strong as the year went on. She was just too good to be true...

That is, until a year later when the two of us were cast in the same high school theatrical production. While I may have decided already she was out of my league, God orchestrated the unexpected. In the first few months of 2018, the second semester to our freshman year, Bella and I started to grow a friendship. Apparently I must have needed to work on my poker face since people began to notice me acting different at rehearsal. Still just as scrawny as before, I somehow mustered up enough courage to answer a frightening question: "Is there someone in the cast you like?" With a voice slightly less mouse-like, the Lord helped me admit to Bella backstage that I had fallen hard; to which she responded "oh".

Now almost seven years later, we've shared many firsts, and look forward to many firsts to come. Our years have been filled with memories of excitement, learning day by day how best to love the other as if it were the first time. It really has blown our minds the intentionality of our Father, so lovingly present in our lives. We've weathered seasons in valleys, as well as experienced the blessings of the hilltop. In periods of long distance and periods spent close by, the Lord has guided our story, writing it page by page. Truly, it has been a wild ride, complete with grace and all sorts of fun. Growing up from 2016-2024 has been a unique blessing for both Bella and me, knowing each other better than any other. As we prepare for the day we've been dreaming of for quite some time, we look back with great fondness. In a very real way, the sweetness of young love at twenty-one is as fresh and full as the uncharted waters of age fourteen.

Thank you all for supporting us, and celebrating the wonderful love God has given us!

With love,

Mark (& Bella)