The Story of Us
HERS:
Mathew and I became close friends a year after briefly meeting at a church camp in 2014. Though we were hundreds of miles away, we shared the ups and downs of living away from home for the first time and starting college at 18. I was focused on school with zero interest in dating or romance but life surprised me. We were soon waiting for each other’s trivia challenges, messages, snaps, facebook messenger study calls, and mailed letters. We were not only excited to talk about the good things in our day but also openly shared our troubles. Even though we made time for each other, we also knew when to give the other space. The balance worked well and still works today, almost a decade later. At times one of us may be more daring, the other more cautious, introverted but the other extroverted, responsible but the other forgetful; despite this, we always end up on the same wavelength. I know I may be the funny one but he is the most fun to be with. It is hard to put into words how small trips with each other can feel like an adventure or how I love to tell him all my scrambled thoughts and opinions (that no one asked for), expecting it to make sense. The weekends we got to see each other felt like a dream that ended too soon and over the years it has become harder each time to say goodbye. Eight years in, 2024, is the year God and our families are bringing us together through marriage. I am nervous and excited for the wedding day, just like the first date. I am feeling grateful that my partner in life is this kind, generous, handsome and consistent.
HIS:
I first met Chinnu at a church youth camp in the summer of 2014. Our friendship truly began after she sent me a request on Trivia Crack, a trivia game app. After realizing that she was no match for my intelligence, she decided to start a conversation rather than play me. Our trivia game rivalry was soon replaced with a close friendship. As both of us left highschool and entered our first couple years of college, we remained in constant contact via facebook and facetime calls. She became someone that I could truly open up to about any good days, bad days, hopes, dreams and ambitions. Whether she aced her organic chemistry exam, shared funny sibling stories or nearly burned down her freshman dorm kitchen (please ask her about this), I am the luckiest guy in the world to get to hear about her day and her (sometimes) funny roasts of me. I was too nervous to act on my feelings towards Chinnu because I was afraid to lose something really special. Transitioning from video calls to in person dates, was the scariest thing in the world, but after getting through the initial nerves, it confirmed what I always knew deep down: I found my better half. As with any long distance, goodbyes from weekend visits were the hardest but anticipating the next hellos were the best. When you’re wrapping up highschool and going through college, you’re in a period of change and growth. You expect to change majors, social circles, and sometimes beliefs, but I’m so thankful that God decided to keep Chinnu as a constant in my life. It’s overwhelming to think that I get to spend the rest of my life with someone this beautiful, selfless, caring, intelligent, and gentle yet sassy.