After a season of new beginnings, Amanda set out on a journey to find her perfect match. A procurement professional through and through, she approached dating with intention—armed with an evaluation matrix, checklists, and a hopeful heart. Fifty first dates later, she still hadn’t found the one. Meanwhile, Justin had spent years focused on his daughter, his career as a pilot, and his service as a captain in the Army. Life had been full—of responsibility, travel, and love for his little girl—but also quiet. As a single dad, dating often took a back seat. Until one day, something told him it was time to open his heart again. When Amanda came across Justin’s profile, he didn’t fit the “plan.” He lived too far away, had a young child, and didn’t check all the boxes on paper. But something about him stood out—maybe it was the irony of a pilot who’s afraid of heights, just like she is. That spark of shared vulnerability was enough for her to send a message. From the moment they met, everything changed. The matrix disappeared. The distance didn’t matter. Time stood still. What began as an unexpected connection quickly grew into something undeniable. We knew, almost instantly: this is what love feels like when it’s real. Unexpected. Grounding. Transformative.