Adrian's Side: At the start of optometry school in 2020, my roommate, Cindy, and I were mid-workout at the campus gym when a stranger with shoulder-length hair and a face mask approached us. We exchanged puzzled glances until he introduced himself as our classmate, Gene. Neither of us had recognized him—his long hair didn’t match his GroupMe photo, and the mask concealed half his face. The encounter was brief and awkward, but after that, we’d occasionally cross paths throughout the semester. By spring, Gene and I found ourselves in the same close-knit friend group, and as the months passed, our friendship deepened. That summer, our group embarked on a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle, a fever dream filled with scenic coastal views, airbnb mix ups, and spontaneous late night side quests. With each passing day, my affection for Gene grew. By the time we returned to Houston, I was smitten. For the rest of the summer, we were inseparable. And by August, what had begun as an unexpected gym encounter had blossomed into something more—Gene and I officially began dating. Gene's Side: The Invisible String Theory – Two people living separate lives in close proximity, never crossing paths until the right moment arrives. That perfectly describes the beginning of our relationship from my perspective. We both were from the same part of Houston and just missed each other. We both attended UH for undergrad, and I vividly remember seeing her walk past me several times in the STL building (for those who didn’t go to UH, that’s our STEM lab building). Adrian, on the other hand, said she never noticed me. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but looking back, it’s crazy to think that just a few years later, we’d finally meet—through grad school. Adrian was always known as the cool girl in our class. She was a powerlifter, has the brains, is charismatic, and feisty—never afraid to speak her mind. I still remember when she called me out in front of everyone in our class group chat by calling me short. At that moment, I knew she was someone not to be messed with. I was 100% convinced that I had no chance with her—or so I thought (spoiler: I got the girl). As our first year of grad school came to an end, we spent more time with our friend group and got to know each other better. Friends kept telling me they could see us together. I brushed it off every time, but the thought started lingering in my mind. I decided to hang out with her a few times—just the two of us—to see if there was something there. I caught feelings faster than I expected. But still, I convinced myself I had zero chance. And honestly? I’m beyond grateful that she made the first move because I don’t know if I ever would have. Call me a coward, but it’s like this—imagine having a crush on a celebrity. Let’s say LeBron James. You might admire them from afar, but you’d never act on it because it seems impossible. That’s exactly how I felt. Now, I know LeBron James wasn’t in optometry school at the time, but to me, she was just as unapproachable. Adrian, I can’t thank you enough for taking that first step because look at us now. I never imagined meeting someone so perfectly aligned with me. I never imagined someone becoming so essential to my life. Every moment, every conversation, and every experience we’ve shared leading up to this day means the world to me. You’ve shown me an elegant, kind, patient, and unconditional type of love—one that inspires me to be a better person every day. You are the reason I push through my hardest moments, and I feel incredibly lucky to have you by my side. Even though we never officially met at STL, and despite the randomness of life, I am so relieved and grateful that everything led us here. To my friends and family: I love you! I hope to see you here. This day isn’t just about Adrian and me—it’s a celebration of everyone who has been part of our journey. So cheers! Come celebrate with us. It would mean the world. See you on October 24th!