To most people's surprise, our love story began when we were just twelve years old, in middle school band—Daniel in the back on the drums, and Grace on the flute. We didn't start off liking each other, though Daniel may have thought Grace was cute (Grace will neither confirm nor deny). At the time, we were simply two kids making music and navigating middle school.
We grew closer toward the end of high school and stayed friends through college. We didn't hang out often, but when we did, it felt easy—probably because we already knew each other's embarrassing phases and life stories. Daniel took a chance once in college, hoping their friendship might turn into something more, but timing had other plans. Years later, while Daniel was in grad school, life gave him a second opportunity—and this time, Grace said yes.
Eight years later, through many seasons of life, that long-standing friendship has grown into a partnership full of love, laughter, and patience. Today, we're building a life together, growing our family with our pup Ceci, and still grateful that middle school band somehow got it right.
