we went to school together. from elementary through high school. he’s one year older than me, so our paths rarely crossed. we ran cross country in junior high, and we both swam on the team in junior high and high school, so that’s how we became acquaintances. i always thought he was attractive, but never thought twice about the fact that he could be the one. we swam on the same summer team together in 2006, and that’s when we really got to know each other and started dating. he had just graduated high school and was going off to college. we had to decide how serious this was and if we were going to try and make this work through the distance. he told me he had fallen fast and was in love with me, and he wanted to stay with me. of course i felt the same. it was the most amazing thing to share those feelings. i had one more year until graduation, and then i followed him to the same university, and we’ve been together ever since. we were married on june 18, 2011 and it was the most wonderful day of my life. he truly is my other half, and i’m so grateful for him.