We met in 4th grade when I was subbed into Laniah’s class. She was the teacher’s helper, smiling as she handed me a whiteboard—it felt like we’d known each other forever. In 5th grade, we became classmates, and she quickly became my best friend. Over the years, we shared laughs, supported each other through high school and college, and stayed close, even through the pandemic. She’s always been my light. Now, after all this time, we’re finally standing together at the altar.

Our favorite memory is when William asked me to be his girlfriend. It was Juneteenth 2020, a powerful year of reflection and change. His family threw a huge celebration at their Brooklyn brownstone, with 60–70 people coming in and out. Later, he asked me upstairs. I stood holding his hands as he sat on the bed, looked into my eyes, and asked, “Will you be my girlfriend?” I replied, “Are you ready?” Fireworks, music, and laughter filled the air—it felt like the perfect moment.

William and I are planning a small wedding in Brooklyn, just blocks from our elementary school and my childhood home. We recently moved into our first apartment and are so grateful for this new chapter. A $20,000 gift would help us cover both our wedding and honeymoon. We chose an intimate ceremony due to high NYC costs, but if we had a larger budget, we’d open our doors to more loved ones. This support would let us celebrate fully—with the people who helped us get here.