It consists greatly of growth, understanding, commitment, and mutual support. It consists of many stages and circumstances. But most importantly it consists of an ever growing love for one another.

Let’s begin at our very first stage, the high school stage. It’s hard to say where this one really begins. Does it start when Sarah doesn’t realize Steven’s interest when he would text her all the time? Does it start when Sarah pretends to be Steven’s fake girlfriend to trick someone? Does it start when they flirt and dance all evening at a sweet sixteen and Sarah can’t stop blabbering on about it at a sleepover afterwards? Does it start at our first date to the movies at the Catskill community theatre? Perhaps it might start on our second first date after some time away from each other?

Regardless of where the stage may have started it held so many memories and lessons. We learned to how to build a relationship while remembering to maintain other parts of our lives. Together we made and strengthened friendships that have and will hopefully continue to hold the test of time. We got to experience events together that not many do like senior trip, prom, high school graduation. This stage may have ended but our story persists.

Now we reach our very next stage, the college stage. This stage posed its own threats of insecurities, a hint of long distance, and the demanding nature of what goes along with building the stepping stones to a career. Through each of these challenges we learned more about each other and what we value. Insecurities that came along with this big change allowed us to understand each other and how to express our feelings in constructive ways. Being geographically separated allowed us to work on our ever growing communication skills between each other. And finally we navigated each hardship of college by being each others shoulder to lean on.

College included so many more new memories. We got to travel together alone for the very first time. We navigated living through a global pandemic. We made even more friends together. We experienced many school events together from formals, to watching sports games, to the shenanigans of senior week. We even got to experience graduating by each others side once again. This stage may have ended but our story persists.

Now we find ourselves in the post college phase. A stage full of wonder, excitement, and growth. But, also a stage the proves to be a bit daunting. What does the future hold? Where will find ourselves at the end of this stage? We planned our whole lives for this stage but what will come next? It is both a relief and joy to spend this stage with each other.

This stage has had so much to offer. Excited phone calls and celebratory milkshakes when jobs were secured. Squeals and happy dances when application portals updated with acceptance letters. Navigating the wonderful and not so wonderful aspects of raising our precious 4-legged friend. Having the opportunity to travel and experience our new home for the coming 4 years. A sweet marriage proposal at the top of a mountain marking our most challenging but most fulfilling hike yet. This stage will come to end eventually for another to begin but our story will persist.

From our Northeast beginning to our great Southwest adventure to wherever we may find ourselves in the future… our story will always persist.

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Historic Smithville

Atlantic City