From Alex's POV: I matched with a random boy on Twitter from a town I've never heard of before (Middleburgh), and that maps said was at least an hour away (Zach never believed me because a bridge was out). I also refused to believe that the toll on I-88 was free, which I now know. When he asked me to come out for a date, I at first declined because I had no idea where I was going. But he asked again and I decided to make the journey and I'm really glad I did in the end. On our first date he showed me Middleburgh and some of Schoharie County, and I remember a lot of cows. I also remember going back out to meet him for the Schoharie County Fair. One of my favorite memories is how the first thing he bought when we walked into the fair was a glass of whole milk (from those Schoharie County cows). I'm not a milk drinker so I didn't really understand the appeal but I thought it was pretty bold.

When I think about our first days together, I remember how we had nothing else to worry about except each other. I think about our summer nights in the mountains, the drive-ins, hikes, and realizing that I'd met someone I had missed my entire life. When we look for someone, we look for home, and I have never felt more home than when I'm with him.

We've spent years together and I still feel like today is the first day I get to spend with him. Every day wake up, I ask him what we're doing later or what the plan is, because he makes anything fun, meaningful, and approaches it with passion. If I did everything with half as much heart as him, my life would be radically different, and that is a testament to him.

Anyways, fast forward to moving in together, meeting each other's friends, families, and traveling across the country together; the day he asked me to marry him was the happiest of my life. It's been a few years since then and every day is an adventure together, so we kind of lost track of time. I don't know how he puts up with me (no, really) but he's become my best friend and biggest supporter, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him.

From Zach's POV:

Six years. That's how long I've had the privilege of being with Alex. It didn't happen overnight, though. It took a while to even get our first date, and looking back, I’m so glad I was patient and that I was given a chance to prove myself. If someone had told me then that I'd be here now, about to marry him, I wouldn’t have believed it. But here we are.

Alex has completely changed the way I view life. He’s shown me what real love looks like—not the fairytale version, but the deep, unconditional love that’s built on understanding, growth, and trust. He taught me patience, not just with him, but with myself, with life. I’ve learned so much from him, from the way he challenges me to think about things to how he always sees the bigger picture. He’s a political person, and he introduced me to a whole new world—one I never thought I’d care about—but he made it fascinating, just like everything else he touches.

We’ve been through so many adventures together—road trips, the Bahamas, you name it. But honestly, I can’t imagine experiencing any of them with anyone else. I wouldn't want to. There’s no one I’d rather travel this planet with than Alex. The thought of him by my side, through everything, is everything I’ve ever wanted.

For years, I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. I just wasn’t sure how to make that happen, how to ask him to be mine forever. It had to be perfect. So, I started with the basics: I asked his parents for their permission, something I knew would mean the world to him. Then came the location—the mountains. They’ve always been his favorite, especially the alpine level, so Rocky Mountain National Park felt like the perfect spot.

When the day came, I was a mess. I spent hours trying to figure out how to say it, how to ask him the most important question of my life. Even after all we’ve been through, after everything we’ve shared, he still has this power over me, this ability to leave me choked up, and speechless. And when he said yes... I can't even describe what that felt like. In that moment, I realized how incredibly lucky I am. I get to spend the rest of my life with my soulmate—someone who makes me better, someone who makes life worth living. I know a lot of people search their entire lives for what we have, and I never take that for granted.

I can't wait to see where this life takes us. Every day, I'm more and more certain that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be—with him. Forever.