We didn't meet as any typical couple. Not only are we high school and college sweethearts, but our story dates all the way back to middle school, where we first met and fell in love. It all began at South County Middle School in Lorton, Virginia, when we were only in 7th grade. That year, we shared the same gym class, became great friends, and always played defense together on the same soccer team during recess (and destroyed every other team in our path). We both liked each other very much but kept quiet given how “easy” it was to confess our feelings as 12-year-old children. Fast forward to 8th grade, when I came back to school with a full-body back brace due to a soccer injury.

Many of my classmates made fun of me, and it was difficult to get around to classes with two fractured vertebrae. However, there was one boy who always went out of his way to carry my things, walk me to class, and make me feel special; it was Ben. He was (and still is) a complete gentleman who was late to his own classes just to make my day better and assist me with anything I needed. Naturally, this only made me fall deeper in love with him. Regardless of not having classes with one another that year, we spent so much of every school day together. We were evidently in love, but of course too afraid to tell one another how we felt. Until, one day, Chase Morin entered the scene and approached me on my way to lunch. Out of the blue, he asked, “So you like my brother, Ben, right? I’ll go tell him for you.” Without even listening to my response, he ran away to do the deed and sent me into COMPLETE PANIC.

Nevertheless, Chase told Ben, and Ben got the green light he’d been waiting for! One thing led to another, and we began dating as 8th graders in middle school and have been together ever since. Now, some of you may be thinking, “That’s a little young to start dating,” but it was one of the best decisions we ever made. Since middle school, we’ve had the privilege of growing up together and influencing one another in the best of ways with God at the center. From challenging life tribulations, such as loss of family, to massive successes, such as Ben starting his own business or me getting recruited to play collegiate soccer, and even major life changes, like GETTING MARRIED (soon), we’ve been through it all.

We’re both ECSTATIC to marry our other half and can’t thank God as well as our amazing families enough for all of the love and support they’ve provided over the last 11 years. We feel blessed to come together on June 15th to celebrate with our friends and family and can’t wait to take this huge step together in our journey!