Alexander and Erin spent time together as friends for about three months, sharing meals, taking walks, and talking on the phone for hours, before Alexander worked up the courage to ask her on an official date (or rather, he tried to get the words out and Erin interrupted him to say, “Are you trying to ask me out?”).

Throughout their relationship, Alexander insisted on never giving Erin a normal card or gift if he could help it. He made her a pink rotating photo box, a 3D printed dog, a deck of cards with 50 reasons he loves her, and Lego flowers. And Erin refused to let Alexander give up on his dreams or believe that he didn’t have much value; she stubbornly kept reminding him of all the things that were wonderful about him until he started to believe them himself.

The two leaned into each other through everything life threw their way. They refused to let each other give up, and they prayed together every night over the phone before they fell asleep. Amidist it all, Erin admired Alexander’s choice to be happy, despite the circumstances, and Alexander appreciated Erin’s tender heart and infectious joy.

Alexander and Erin are ready to choose each other for a lifetime, holding hands through good times, bad times, and all the little in between times to come. Erin loves to dance and Alexander wants to dance with her for the rest of his life, until he’s 101.