In 2006 after a very long first year at Hawaii Pacific University, classes were out and Alia Dolphin and her roommate were ready to hit the Waikiki strip! Alia's roommate said her "cousin" was in town - who would be starting HPU the following year - and they had to make a stop to meet him at her "auntie's" house. Waiting on the Ala Wai Bridge on Ala Moana Boulevard was Andrew Dames. They exchanged pleasantries, said hello to Andrew's grandma, and went their separate ways thinking nothing of it. In May 2007, Alia and Andrew went on their first date after a class they had together; Andrew had to go back to Guam for the summer and they parted ways. They remained friends and continually bumped into each other on campus, around town and at parties. In 2011, Andrew came to Alia with some of the first poems he had ever written. Andrew started performing those poems at Alia's art venue she was running, winning over the hearts of the audience (and hers, too). In 2012, Alia moved back to Northern California. Finally after 7 long months of being without each other, that’s when they thought, “Okay. This could be something." Andrew made the leap and one spicy wiener (Dachshund) and big baby (Fila Brasileiro) later, they continue to live the hella good mainland life.