For years, Jake and Allyson’s lives ran parallel at Chapel Hill. They were neighbors in the noise. Jake taught theatre in a makeshift classroom at the Junior High, and Allyson taught elementary dancers at Wise. Every so often their paths would cross with professional development, convocation, or combined productions, but the relationship remained strictly professional. It wasn’t until the reconfiguration of the district in 2020 that the dynamic finally shifted. Allyson was reassigned to the Intermediate Campus and the Junior High for 6th-8th grade dance while also taking on the role of Assistant Director of The Highlighters. Jake continued to teach in his makeshift classroom in the corner of the gymnasium, but now he had another friend and coworker to hold real adult conversations, and even occasionally watch his classroom when had run to the restroom. One random Wednesday, Jake and Allyson were chatting before she was about to head over to the high school when Jake suggested drinks at Stanley’s BBQ. At the time Allyson assumed this was just a “let’s grab a drink and hang out” situation, while Jake was nervous about a first date. Fortunately, the ambiguity didn’t survive the evening. Somewhere on the patio, the professional distance faded, revealing a natural connection that had been waiting there all along. Five years later, they have moved from the Junior High to the High School, trading the makeshift classroom in the gym for a full size theater. No longer traveling campus to campus, but just down the hallway to say, “Hey!” and to check in on each other. Now they share a home, their orange cat, Hobbes, and look forward to celebrating their union of love with each of you!