I don’t remember the exact first time I met Dante, but I know it was sometime in early high school, in one of our classes- probably English or history. I remember how funny he was, how much everyone liked him, and how infectious his laugh was. I was so intimidated because I thought he was so cool, and I really wanted to be in on all of his jokes. At some point leaving class I allegedly gave him a hug, and he told me recently that at the time he thought that was pretty weird, but I don’t regret it. 

 

In high school, Dante and I were just friends, and we became much closer in our shared friend group towards senior year. Our friend group played a lot of games online, hung out at lunch, and did some occasional loitering in parking lots. I remember when we all went to prom together, at some point before getting on the party bus, he picked up a guitar and started playing Babe I’m Gonna Leave You by Led Zeppelin. I remember thinking, “Wow, he’s nice, cool, funny, has good taste, and he’s talented? We have to get this guy a girlfriend" (subtle foreshadowing).

 

In my sophomore year of college, after going through a break up with a mutual friend, Dante and I kept in touch. He was always there for me, and even when I was really sad, he always made me laugh or distracted me with some fun game to play online. He stood up for me when no one else would, and he heard and saw me like no one ever had before. Moving away from my family and into a big city was tough on me, and at a particularly low moment the only person I could bring myself to call was Dante. I realized then just how much he meant to me. 

 

When I was a teenager, I struggled to understand what love was supposed to look like. I decided the best guidance I could get was straight from the horse’s mouth (the Bible). I remember printing out 1 Corinthians 13, laminating it, and putting it up on my wall so I wouldn’t forget: 

 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

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One particularly late night, Dante called me up and (with a little bit of liquid courage) told me he had come to feel more than friendship for me, and he thought I should know before someone else came along and he’d have to wait longer to tell me. To be honest, at first I was a little shocked and afraid to lose my best friend, but then I thought of 1 Corinthians.

 

I asked God to send me someone who would love me as He had intended, and Dante is all of these things. Dante is patient and kind, he is not proud, he cheers others on, he always thinks of others, he is never quick to anger, and he never holds a grudge. He’s honest, hopeful, and trustworthy, he never gives up, and no matter the distance or the size of the problem, he’s always there. How could I say no to him? I was so swept away and admired him so much for putting it all on the line, and I realized in that moment I felt love for him too.

Our first date was in 2020, at the dawn of COVID - we rebelliously drove to a parking lot, parked next to each other, partially rolled down the windows and listened to some music together. I was so excited to see him. (We even secretly held hands through the windows, but don't tell anyone because it wasn’t allowed). We talked constantly over the phone everyday, and we still haven’t stopped.

 

The next six years that followed were beautiful: countless adventures, both big and small, local and overseas, happiness, peace, disappointment, exhaustion, excitement, sadness, joy, and personal growth, all shared with my best friend and closest confidant. 

 

I’ve learned so much from Dante, and I look up to him more than he knows. Through his patience and calm, safe love that he’s had for me, I’ve become someone so much closer to who I’ve always wanted to be, someone like Dante.

 

I’ll love him forever, and I just know there’s no issue we couldn’t overcome together. I’m the luckiest girl alive and I can’t wait to marry my best friend!