Andrew and Michelle

I met Andrew when I was in the 7th grade. He was that kid on the bus that threw gum wrappers at you and bounced up and down on the seat, like the crazy kid he is. He lived down the road from my best friend Sharon's house, and when we would take her dog for a walk by his house, Andrew and his little brother Matthew would throw snow balls at us.

As the years went by, we still were aware of each other's presence, but weren't involved with each other in any way, shape, or form. Then in senior year of high school, we had AP Calculus together, and that is where the love began to blossom. There was much flirting and texting and mutual attraction, and after some months of this, we finally made it official and became "boyfriend and girlfriend" on April 28, 2009.

For two and a half years, we had a long distance relationship. Andrew pitched in college baseball at Herkimer County Community College in Herkimer, New York, then he pitched one semester at a division 1 school in Arkansas. This was a trying time for us, as anyone can imagine, long distance relationships are not easy. But with good communication, trust, and lots of love, we made it through. I know it made us closer and our relationship stronger because of the distance that we faced.

Now we are both living in Fairbanks and loving the fact that we don't go one day without seeing each other. Andrew's lifetime career goal is to be an Alaska State Trooper, and I know one day he will reach that goal. I'm pursuing my accounting degree and will be graduating in May 2014, and I will start taking my CPA exams within the next couple of months.

Until then, we are living and loving life together as an engaged couple, planning the wedding of our dreams and the life we will have afterwards. <3

[[Side note.... I think it's adorable that this kid who threw snowballs at me in middle school is now the love of my life. I remember hearing this statement back in middle school "there's a good chance you know the person that you are going to marry" and I honestly (and really feel bad about saying) wouldn't have guessed it would have been him. HOWEVER, I am SO INCREDIBLY blessed and grateful that he is in my life and the man that I want to spend all my days with.]]

My Forever

Our First Picture Together - Prom 2009

Arctic Man 2012