Our story began in 2019, the summer before our senior year of high school. We started as classmates who quickly became friends, but what Leland did not know at the time was that Joy had already had a crush on him for quite a while. That crush eventually turned into long conversations, time spent together, and a friendship that was becoming something more. On the first day of school that year, we decided to make it official.

As senior year brought big decisions about college and the future, we ultimately chose different paths. Leland stayed in Missouri while Joy moved to Florida. Despite the challenges of a long distance relationship, we were committed to each other and determined to make it last.

Over the next four years, we grew not only as a couple but also as individuals. We learned to prioritize our personal relationships with God, understanding that He is the foundation of any healthy and lasting relationship. Through daily communication and faith, we stayed connected, supporting one another through every milestone and visiting whenever we could. After graduating, we both returned to St. Louis, finally closing the distance for good.

Against all odds, and by the grace of God, our love endured. Today we are happily engaged and excited to begin the next chapter of our story together.