It all began in eighth grade, when Sarah heard about the “new kid” (Eitan) starting at Highland Park High School and quickly called “dibs” on him. From the moment they met, Sarah and Eitan became close friends. They shared their first kiss at a teenage basement party—a hallmark of middle school romance. But as high school started, that spark fizzled into the dreaded “friend zone.”

Over the years, though, their connection only deepened. They went to school dances together “as friends,” exchanged nonstop texts, and enjoyed countless after-school walks through HP. Through it all, their bond was undeniable, even if it wasn’t officially labeled as a romance.

By senior year, fate (and the scheduling gods) finally intervened. Sarah and Eitan ended up in the same AP Bio class. Naturally, they sat next to each other. What followed wasn’t exactly academic excellence (blame the chit-chat), but their strong friendship blossomed into something more—a classic “situationship.”

Eitan had always told his family that Sarah was the only girl he’d ever wanted to date. Sarah, in turn, confided in her parents, saying, “He feels like family to me—I am my most self around him!” That sentiment reached a peak when Eitan asked Sarah to prom in front of their entire Bio class. Sarah was so shocked, she spilled her Starbucks everywhere. After a quick cleanup, she said yes, and that magical night marked the start of their seven-and-a-half-year relationship.