We have waited for this moment for 3,718 days—10 years and some change. Never did I imagine that a bus ride from Kings Island would lead us here. I fell in love with the boy that you were, and you’ve grown into the man I have always dreamed of. I loved who you were, I love who you are, and I promise to love who you’ll become.

Cancer — A diagnosis changed both of our lives forever. Thank you for being my rock. Without you, my life would have ended too soon. Somehow you always know what to say and turn a situation around. For that, I am forever grateful. Thank you for your continued, unconditional love yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever. Love can't cure everything, but it will carry us through.

Thank you for helping me understand that I am not a burden. Even when I feel like I am stuck in the middle of a raging thunderstorm, you’ve always been next to me holding an umbrella. With the inevitable rain, you grow flowers in the darkest parts of me and I promise to do the same for you.

You are the missing piece of my imperfect puzzle. I vow to treasure our perfect fit forever. I could have zero dollars to my name and I would still consider myself rich because I have your love.

I promise to be there through good times and the bad—to celebrate your fantasy league wins and to comfort you when the Bengals lose.

I promise to be your best friend, your biggest fan, your partner in crime, and the best wife I can be for the rest of our lives.

And lastly, I vow that when death does choose to take my hand I will hold you with the other, and I promise to find you in every lifetime.

Thank you for giving my life purpose. I love you, Zach.

Sydne,

I can’t believe that today I get to marry my best friend — the girl I met in grade school, who became the center of my world long before we even knew what love really meant.

Since the summer after 8th grade, we’ve grown up together — from supporting each other in high school, to graduating from Ohio State together, to starting our careers and moving to a new city. Every step of the way, you've been my constant — my home.

Honestly, I can’t even remember what life was like before we were together, and I never want to imagine life without you.

Now, I have the honor of choosing to love you every day, for all my days. Of waking up with you and falling asleep beside you — through the good mornings and the hard nights.

I promise to take care of you — physically, emotionally, and spiritually — in sickness and in health, with grace and gratitude.

I promise to always forgive you, and to never go to bed angry. I promise to laugh with you, cry with you, hold your hand through pain, and celebrate every joy — big or small — with you.

I promise to love you not just through the easy seasons, but through the uncertain ones — when plans change and dreams shift.

I promise to be patient, present, and loyal.

And I promise to make our home a place of peace, safety, love, and amazing home cooked meals.

But I can’t do all of this alone. So I promise to be vulnerable with you, to tell you when I need help, to show my weaknesses and where you can give me strength. And I ask you to challenge me to be the man you deserve. To remind me, when I fall short, of the promises I made here today.

I love you Sydne — endlessly, passionately, and unconditionally. Forever and always.