Our story began in Los Angeles during the pandemic in January 2021, when Alexa had moved to LA from New Jersey for what was supposed to be a month-long get-a-way which, fortunately for Ross, she turned into her home for the next year when she decided to extend her time on the west coast. With restaurants and bars still closed, we were limited on our choices for a first date, so we opted to meet at the corner of Montana and Ocean Ave to get carry out pizza and wine (and Lagunitas) on the beach during sunset. It was unintentionally one of the more romantic first dates you can plan, up until the date was crashed by a runner who claimed he was “about to pass out," so we offered him some pizza, which he took as an invitation to walk off with the box and the remaining slices. After we realized we may have been conned out of our dinner, we spent hours laughing and just talking, where we both knew there was an undeniable connection. What started as a chance encounter during a time of uncertainty turned into something beautiful and certain. Now, just 4 years later, we’re planning the rest of our lives together, grateful that our paths crossed in a city that was originally home for neither of us but will forever remain so important to both of us.