Before I begin, there are a few things you need to know about Yreka. Firstly, if you live there, you know everyone, like seriously, pretty much everyone. Secondly, if you are homeschooled in Yreka, social interaction is a pretty intentional thing. That being said, I have known Katie almost as long as I could remember, however for most of that memory she is simply my sister's best friend. It wasn't until I got a job working at a local public pool that I noticed Katie, and we became fast friends. I thought she was friendly, and kind, and very cute. But my mind wasn't in that place, she was just a great friend. Later that summer we exchanged numbers and quickly took to conversing outside of work and I realized that I had feelings for her. Later that summer, I knew that feeling was love, a quick turn around maybe but I just knew. The pool year was coming to an end and I needed a reason to keep seeing Katie so I turned to my local youth event to volunteer with the new love of my life. There she gave me a birthday card that stated I was her "favorite person", it was time to make my move. Homecoming night, at the football game (the most common pastime for kids in a town our size) I told Katie I was "crazy about her". I didn't say "like" because it didn't capture what I felt, what I felt was love. We would say "I love you" soon after followed by us dating. But I had loved her since her last day working at the pool. When I said goodbye that day, I knew. I knew from then on that she was my one and only, that for the rest of my life no one else could take her place. I wanted Katie to be my wife and now I'm able to make that dream a reality, through ups and downs, kisses and fights, long distance and just a short drive away, I finally get to marry Katie Leigh Stensether. And I could not be more happy.

Elijah and I have known each other most of our lives (how could we not in a place like Siskiyou County?) but I always viewed him as Payton's younger brother. When we were 15 and 17, we were hired at the Montague Pool and worked together for summer 2017. We became close friends quickly and he became someone I could trust and confide in. In September, I had the realization that I had feelings for him and wrote him a cheesy birthday card for his sweet 16. In October, we confessed our feelings for each other at the homecoming football game (go Miners!). His exact words were "I'm crazy about you" and that about summed up how I felt as well. Some highlights of our dating life include: a lot of sushi consumed, one glorious twenty one pilots concert, a few surprise visits and many many many FaceTime calls. He makes me laugh, he is so caring, he is creative, he is spontaneous (and helps me to be more that way) and he welcomes everyone he meets. He pushes me to be better, pursue Christ in all I do and he loves me unconditionally. Elijah is my first and last love and I could not be any more excited to marry him!!