Our friendship began in 2009 with Gunner drawing a diagram to explain soccer to me, by the end of his explanation I still didn't understand but we have been best friends ever since. In 2013 we went to prom together (just as friends) but that is where the feelings started (for Gunner), after we graduated Gunner got up the courage to tell me he liked me, to which my response was to run away (yes, really). We were both going to college in the fall, Gunner to Central Washington and I was going to Seattle Pacific so we decided it would be better to stay just friends. In 2015 Gunner was having a Halloween party at his house in Ellensburg, we kissed for the first time, I freaked out and things got awkward. For months we didn't talk and it was the worst! After 6 months of not talking I told him I missed him and we made up. We started spending more time together and he even came on vacation to Seaside with my family. Halloween 2016, there was another party in Ellensburg, Gunner told me he still liked me and wanted to date but would give me time to think about it. But I didn't need time, he had been persistent and a constant in my life so I (finally) agreed! The best decision I have ever made, other than when he asked me to marry him in November of 2020 and I instantly said "YES"