Two is better than one.

Do you ever have those "oh-my-gosh-I-love-this-man-is-this-truly-real-life?" spur of exhilaration? It almost feels like you are watching yourself live your life (very surreal, I know), kind of like an outer-body experience if that makes sense? Sometimes I just sit and watch him talk away, and I'm not even processing a word he says because I'm just in awe of him. I wish life allowed us to have more of these pleasant thoughts, but I guess it's the undesirable times in life that make us appreciate the people in our lives as well as the good things we have. It's still funny to me that I met my future husband at the age of sixteen. I used to proudly announce how I wouldn't date until after college. My sister laughed at me. But real life caught up with me and my "dreams." Meeting Ben was something I cannot describe. The moment I saw him (and please don't laugh) it felt like lightening zapped my heart. I just knew, somehow, I was going to be a part of his life. I've never felt that way about anyone before. Everyone else seemed to be a blur in my life.

So yes, I'm one of "those people" that believe in love at first sight. I guess it's something that is different for everyone. You may or may not feel it at first, and that is more than okay; it's your love story. Not everyone gets to kiss feverishly in the rain like couple in Nicholas Spark's The Notebook. I knew I was going to marry him within a month of dating, and he expressed the same to me. I always secretly hoped and prayed we'd meet when we were young so we could not only be each other's high-school sweeties, but have that growing bond at a young age. Once college hit us, we started noticing how the saying is true about your high school friends; they come and then they may go out of your life. I believe the one thing that matters to us is not how much friends we have--but how much life, love, peace, strength and joy can be found in one person. There is no need for a facade or a guard over our hearts--that is a relief in itself. And I believe that is what we strive to give each other. After all, two is better than one. I can't wait to marry my best and truest friend.

1. Our engagement photos: Joanna Noel.