April and I knew of eachother many years ago, having similar friend groups, but never really knew eachother. Little did we know that almost 20 years later when I decided to make a career change, that we'd transform into "April and Amanda", start building a life together.... and that April wasn't so "straight". I was working EMS, going to school, and doing my clinical time at Albany Med. Anytime I'd drop off a patient there, I'd stop in the x-ray area to say "hi" or bug April with questions about the job. April often made herself appear "busy" all of a sudden, had a hard time maintaining eye contact with me and became flustered. I thought she was just a shy person... come to find out, she was just trying to resist the EMS uniform! I began working at Albany Med and did my training on day shift. Once I switched to evenings (April's shift), all of the day staff wished me luck because of April's "tough" reputation. I quickly saw she was actually very soft and sensitive, she just got a little moody when she was overstimulated. Me being me, would poke the bear and make comments, getting her to crack smiles and laugh. Our co-workers watched in disbelief that I had the audacity AND that she actually found me amusing instead of getting mad (most of the time). April's energy always felt safe and comfortable to me and I found myself wanting to be in her presence. One night after work, a few co-workers decided to go out. April sat down next to me and placed her legs across my lap the whole time. It felt natural, like it was just supposed to be. We both knew there was a deeper connection there, but April decided to play hard to get for a WHOLE week before we went on our first actual date. From that day forward, our love blossomed and I knew I had found the person I wanted to spend my life with. I had been working at Albany Med for nearly 20 years when Amanda and I crossed paths. She would drop in now and then while working EMS. I recognized her from high-school but I never really knew her back then. When she started working at AMC, there was obvious chemistry there. Chemistry Amanda didn't see at first. 😂 I remember thinking to myself, "Is this girl flirting with me?" Up until this point in my life, I was STRAIGHT. One night after work, a few of us went out for drinks. I can still picture her sitting there in her white t-shirt with a zip up hoodie, shorts, and glasses. I think it was that moment that I realized I was attracted to her. I ignored the attraction I felt until, I didn't. That ONE night, at Oh Bar, where I decided to throw my legs across her lap changed EVERYTHING. She felt comfortable, she felt like home. That moment catapulted things into motion. I had found my person. I had lived alone for 12 years, being "Miss Independent" but I knew I wanted to share my life and my space with this woman. (And our 6 babies) "The stars aligned, the door opened, our eyes met, and we felt the universe shift."