I met Avery through my brother, Kolton and sister, Kelsey while working as a server at Jefferson Street Pub in Downtown Huntsville, AL. We instantly connected and became each other’s best friend. I liked him even more when he introduced me to his dog, Reese! While we were trying to deny our strong feelings for one another and avoid being anything more than just friends, everyone around us knew we would be end game. My feelings kept getting stronger and stronger for Avery, not knowing he felt the same way. I would catch myself staring at him from across the room with the biggest smile on my face and butterflies in my stomach. We joined a few of our friends on a trip to the beach April 22-April 27. It only took us two days to finally confess our love for one another. On April 24, I was in bed sick most of the day and Avery stayed by my side holding my hair back and feeding me chicken fingers with honey mustard instead of going out on the beach with the others. I knew then that I didn’t care about “ruining our friendship”. He was my best friend and I wanted him to be my best friend for the rest of my days. That night, the two of us walked the shore as we poured out our feelings. We cried and we laughed. We were relieved to know we both felt the same way. Over two years later, I still catch myself staring at him from across the room with the biggest smile on my face and butterflies in my stomach.