We met in junior high in 1992—she was a cheerleader, I was a shy geek who let her copy my homework. Life took us apart, but decades later, we reconnected on Facebook after toxic relationships. She messaged me after seeing my Ghostbusters premiere photo, and we met for dinner. I brought our yearbooks. That night, I had my first ever kiss after a first date—with my favorite cheerleader. We married on June 14, 2023. The geek got the girl.

Our favorite memory is having good memories together—something we lacked in past relationships. But if we had to choose one, it’s our 1st anniversary in 2024. I surprised Christina with a trip to New York because she had always wanted to see Times Square and Central Park. We stayed in a hotel right in Times Square and spent the weekend exploring the city. The most touching moment was sharing Ground Zero with her—a place that deeply moved my heart.

We’d pay off some bills, but most importantly, we’d finally take our long-overdue Honeymoon. After losing Christina’s mom, beloved pets, and other family, we want to celebrate love, not loss. We had a small wedding, so we’d renew our vows in front of family and friends, then escape somewhere tropical to reconnect, explore, and grow together. It’s time we invest in joy and continue our adventure as soulmates.