I remember seeing Tulsa for the first time like it was yesterday. We were in school, in Mr. Stucky’s classroom to be exact, and I was frantically trying to finish a homework assignment. My Best (Man) friend Avery said to me “Hey, have you seen the new exchange student?” to which I replied “Nope, don’t care”.

It could’ve all ended there. No love story, no adventure, no lifetime together. That is why I am so incredibly grateful for what Avery said next. “Well, she’s pretty hot” he told me with a pointed finger. I looked in that direction and, as if it were fate, a pocket of people opened up so that I could perfectly see my future wife all the way across the classroom. “Nice” I replied as I continued to work.

The details after are a little fuzzy for me, but at some point, we invited her into our friend group and we started hanging out all the time. After rehearsal one day she asked me for a ride home and of course I agreed, but also distinctly remember thinking “This better not become a thing”. Oh boy would it become a thing. I soon found myself picking her up and dropping her off almost every day.

The catalyst was when I invited her to go to JOAD with me (Junior Olympic Archery Development). My coach instantly approved and later that night, we shared our first kiss. We dated for the rest of that year, but before long she had to go back to Sweden. I’ve never been one to cry much, but I did that night when I dropped her off for the last time.

Fortunately, I did get to see her again, only about 3 months later, but it wasn’t like before. When I saw her again, we were broken up, and I remember I had gone to see her to exchange some things we both wanted back. But as we were sitting there talking, we realized something. Tulsa asked me a very simple question that has partially driven our relationship ever since. She said “I don’t know how long we’re going to stay together, but honestly, I don’t think that matters. I would rather spend the next week, month, or year with you than without. Do you feel the same?” And I did.

At the start of college, we broke up again, and it was that same motto that brought us back together. Although it took a little longer that second time around, and we had some rather unpleasant emotions to work through, we both settled on the same answer as last time, and we were able to get through it all together.

After that, there were no more breakups. That doesn’t mean no more arguments, because life just isn’t that easy, but everything we did from there on out, we did together. For the most part, college was easy breezy beautiful cover girl, and even though we had troubles with immigration, school/work/life balance, and a global pandemic, it doesn’t really feel like we went through those hardships because at the end of the day, I got to go home and see the person I love. The person I want to spend the rest of my life with.

One thing about our relationship is that it’s not as perfect as some people might think. We’ve had ups and downs, and we’ve both made some mistakes, although most of them have been by me. But with every fight, every mental breakdown, and the gallons of tears that have been shed, we both grow a little stronger because we’re doing it together.

Growing up with a best friend is a special kind of relationship, but growing up with your future wife is completely different. I often find myself going to tell her a story from my past only to realize that not only has she heard that story before, but she was also standing right next to me when it happened. I wouldn’t trade anything in the world for what Tuls and I have shared and experienced together, and I can’t wait to spend eternity with her, because “death do us part” isn’t long enough.

Registry