Amanda and I met back in 2015 during our time at McMaster through Tinder. We spoke at length for a few days immediately thereafter, I remember spending those next few days excitedly taking my phone out of my pocket when I felt a vibration in anticipation it was a message from her, spending more time than necessary crafting the perfect response, and getting antsy when her message was a little delayed. Even though we texted frequently those first few days, we didn’t actually meet in person until about a month or so later. Let me paint the picture for you - During my undergrad I worked security at the campus pub, TwelveEighty. This night, I happened to be checking IDs at the front, in a line of hundreds trying to get in, I was handed an ID with a familiar name ‘Amanda Marianne Emmanuel’. I look up and see her shyly avoiding eye contact and we exchanged a friendly hello. This was the first time I saw her at TwelveEighty, and it wouldn’t be the last. She’d come occasionally and we’d spent more time than appropriate together for someone that was supposed to be looking after the safety of patrons. She would walk the floor with me, we would chat, laugh, and get to know one another. Over the next few years, we became really good friends - where shy smiles turned into big toothy grins and ‘Tony’ smiles. It was pretty obvious to everyone, including us, that our relationship was special. Unfortunately, timing wasn’t on our side until 2022. I had been living abroad for work and had only been back a few weeks, I wanted to make an effort to reconnect with all those that I missed during my time away, Amanda was one of them. We decided to meet at McMaster. It was the first snowfall of the year, and we retraced our steps in the dusting, walking through the University, enjoying the karaoke and sweet fries at Snooties, and lingering for the slightest half second too long on our good-bye in front of Williams. Was timing finally beginning to work in our favour? That Christmas time was special, I remember telling my family about Amanda, and I remember Amanda telling me that she shared the same with hers. We spent the next few months dating, getting to know each other all over again. Learning how we had grown when time wasn’t on our side, and how we were ready to experience this love now that it finally was. This love, this experience, this bond that we’ve created is built on so much. This love is built on patience, on aligned values, on shared beliefs, on unrelenting authenticity to ourselves and one another. Our shared vulnerabilities, our fears, our strengths, I’m still dumbfounded how well they all compliment each other. I have always firmly held the belief that life only presents you with opportunities once you are ready for them. These opportunities can be challenging and may take every ounce of the individual you are in order to not let it slip. I believe that timing wasn’t against us, I believe it was actually working in our favour. Life gave me an opportunity to receive and reciprocate the love that Amanda deserves. Amanda is my greatest blessing, and greatest opportunity.