We met back in high school, but it wasn’t until senior year that we finally started dating. Our first date was at the Denver Aquarium, we were both so nervous, just trying to work up the courage to hold hands for the first time.

Silas was the first to say “I love you.” It was late at night in Golden, Colorado; we were sitting by a river, talking about everything and nothing, and the words just came out. Annie said it back right away, we both just knew.

When we left for college, we knew it wouldn’t be easy. Silas went to Hillsdale in Michigan, and Annie started at Pratt in New York before transferring to Lipscomb in Nashville. Four years of long distance meant we really had to choose each other, over and over again. We’d visit when we could, spend holidays together, write each other letters all the time, and talk every day, even if it was just a quick call or playing video games together.

We both still keep every letter we sent each other: boxes full of notes covered in doodles, cartoons, little portraits, and our favorite silly drawings. It’s our reminder of all the miles we crossed and the time we put in, and how much we’ve always believed in us.