A lot of you know that this love story started September 4th, 2015, but before there was a love story…there was just a story.

Chapter One

2012 is when we “officially” met. The reason I say “officially” is because we both went to the same small-town school and knew of each other but never actually spoke to one another. That is, until 2012 when we were both attending the JVS (Junior Vocational School). It was the beginning of my senior year of high school and Stephen’s junior year that we both happened to have study hall together. Stephen sat in front of me and that’s when our friendship started. To this day, he remembers and makes fun of me for wearing “sparkley” Ugg boots, and I just think it’s cute that he holds onto the image of me from so long ago. Throughout the year in study hall, there was only one occasion that we spoke to each other outside of those classroom walls. It was a cold, winter evening and Stephen drove all the way to my Stepdad’s house (which was far from where he lived), just to take me out for a hot chocolate. I know you may be thinking that was the night they fell in love, but it was far from that. Stephen was genuinely just being a good friend to the 18-year-old Taylor that thought her life was over because of a heartbreak. I still remember him backing into my driveway in his Cummins truck with blue cab lights and my mom saying “Wow! Your stepdad would be impressed if he was home to see this.” We remained friends through that school year, but never became more than just study hall buds.

Chapter Two

Fast forward through my entire first year of college and Stephen’s whole senior year of high school (2014) before we have our next interactions. I know you’re thinking again, okay this has got to be when it started? Wrong, it did not start here either. (HAHA) I told you guys there was a story before a love story. My best friend Gabby also graduated the same year as Stephen, so the Summer of 2014 I went to all the grad parties with her, which is where I would run into Stephen. Being that we went to such a small school, it was inevitable not to run into anyone, anywhere. We would see each other, say hello or take a goofy selfie, and then carry on with our nights separately.

Chapter Three

For the people still reading, thanks for making it this far and yes…we have finally made it to the moment you’ve been waiting for. If you ask Stephen who persued who first, he will say me every time, but I’ll let you be the judge of that. On September 4th, 2015 right before I was leaving for work, I texted him and said “Hey Stephen!!!” We texted the rest of the night. Originally, my intentions were simply to just catch up with old friend. I did not think we would even make it through 15 minutes of texting…let alone the whole evening. The next morning I woke up to a good morning text from Stephen, and have gotten one everyday since then. <3 I would say someone did have different intentions that night, but we will call it even (HAHA). Stephen always tells me that the day before I texted him he told his dad he was “done trying to pursue any relationships and if a girl wanted to date him they would have to contact him.” Guess you could call it fate that I texted him that next day. Yes, I have always taken that as a sign! At some point over that next month, Stephen did ask me to “officially” be his girlfriend. Silly me, I already thought we were dating. Neither of us can remember the date he asked so we just go from the first day we started texting as our “anniversary.” I think deep down we just knew that it was history from there.

I truly can’t wait to keep writing new chapters together. We have grown from a 19-year-old boy and 21-year-old girl, not only in age but into the people we are today. I speak for the both of us when I say we have been through a crazy ride together, but we wouldn’t be who we are today without each other. I cannot wait to marry my best friend.

Here’s to our forever love story! <3