Alexander and Clare first met at fourteen at Calleva Kayaking Camp, where they locked eyes across the river after being the only two campers to successfully paddle upstream through a strong current. Clare thought Alex was cute, but so was another camper, David. On the last day of camp, everyone exchanged numbers, and Clare noticed a contact saved in her phone without a name. For some reason, she assumed it was David’s.

On the bus ride home, she worked up the courage to text her feelings, only to realize she’d messaged Alex by mistake. Or maybe, it wasn’t a mistake at all! It was fate. As luck would have it, Alex felt the same way! By the end of that bus ride, he’d asked Clare to be his girlfriend.

After sharing the story (and the fact that she might have a boyfriend) with her mom, she encouraged her to stay in touch and consider dating officially after eighth grade. Clare created a Facebook account just to keep the conversation going.

A year and countless texts and Facebook messages later, they became an official couple. Sixteen going on seventeen years, they’re still best friends, soulmates, and proud high school sweethearts now ready to start their next adventure together as husband and wife.