We met in Latin class during my freshman year and Ethan’s junior year of high school. Our first interaction was when Ethan commented on my Pikachu shirt, and from there, we became friends. Of course, we were both finding excuses to talk to each other—me asking questions about class or things we had in common, and Ethan pretending to forget the homework so he could ask me about it. Neither of us realized the other was doing the same thing, but looking back, it makes us laugh at how oblivious we were. About a year later, everything finally fell into place. On a rainy afternoon, we were hanging out with friends in an after-school club when I accidentally called myself Ethan’s girlfriend. I was immediately embarrassed, but Ethan didn’t miss a beat. He just smiled and asked if I wanted to be, and of course, I said yes. That was October 14, 2016—the day we officially became “us.”

Our first date was at Mod Pizza. Ethan still insists that the moment I asked for pineapple on our pizza, he knew I was the one. Not long after, we had our first kiss at the end of Moana, during Jordan Fisher’s version of You’re Welcome. We both knew it was coming, but it still felt special and perfect in that moment.

As our relationship grew, so did the challenges. College meant long-distance, and then COVID made everything harder. Being back in our parents’ homes during the pandemic and not being able to see each other was tough. When I caught Covid, Ethan spent many sleepless nights worried about me, making me appreciate him more. Even in those moments apart, we found ways to stay connected, whether it was through small texts or updates just to hear from each other. That time made us value every moment we could spend together in person.

When things finally settled, we decided to take a leap and move into our first apartment together. It was a big step after being apart for so long, and while learning to live together came with its fair share of challenges—figuring out chores, adult responsibilities, our pets, and just how many Pokémon or Magic cards one couple can own—it also brought us closer. We got to share the highs and lows of everyday life, from celebrating small wins to tackling the harder moments as a team.

Later, we made another big move and settled into a house together. Turning that space into a home became another adventure, filled with a lot of laughter and the occasional chaotic mishap (like figuring out how to assemble furniture without arguing too much). Through it all, we found that the key to making things work is how much we really get each other.

Whether we’re geeking out over our favorite things, teasing each other over silly quirks, or laughing until we can’t breathe, our relationship works because it’s built on a foundation of friendship and fun. Ethan says I bring out the best in him, and I’d say the same—he celebrates every little accomplishment, and his support means the world to me. Even when we’re at our most ridiculous, we wouldn’t trade it for anything. The proposal? It was as spontaneous as us. We had picked out the ring together, and when it arrived, I refused to take it off. Ethan convinced me to hand it over, claiming he thought he saw a scratch. The moment he had it, he proposed right then and there. It wasn’t planned, but it was perfectly us.

Now, after so many adventures together, we’re excited to start this next chapter. Getting married doesn’t feel like it will change much, but it’s incredibly special to share this moment with everyone we love. We can’t wait to keep building our life together, growing as partners, and laughing through whatever comes next. And we’re both so ready to finally call each other husband and wife.