Ashton and Hudson’s love story began the modern way—on a dating app. Hudson, newly arrived from Brazil, was looking to find his place in a new city, while Ashton was deep in a career transition, convinced that romance should take a backseat. But fate (and a well-placed right swipe) had other plans. Their first date started with coffee and somehow turned into nine hours of effortless conversation, laughter, and that undeniable feeling of clicking with someone. It was the kind of date that makes you forget about time. But as great as it was, a future together seemed uncertain. Hudson’s first love—his dog, Harley—was a permanent fixture in his life, and Ashton (unfortunately) was very allergic to pets. On top of that, Ashton was focused on a career change, determined to put all energy into finding the perfect job. So, in a moment of logic over romance, they made a decision: let’s just be friends. That plan lasted approximately five minutes. With Hudson eager to explore Toronto and Ashton suddenly free with time to spare, they turned “just friends” into an excuse for an ongoing adventure. Ashton became Hudson’s unofficial city guide, and together they spent months gallery-hopping, conquering (and sometimes failing) escape rooms, indulging in Toronto’s food scene, and getting lost in musicals and symphonies. They cooked together, talked for hours (with Ashton doing most of the talking, of course), and quickly realized that “just friends” wasn’t going to cut it. Hudson was the first to admit it—he loved Ashton’s bright energy and endless curiosity. Ashton, in turn, fell for Hudson’s thoughtfulness, steady ambition, and intelligence. What started as a fun city tour turned into something much bigger. As their relationship grew, so did their careers. Hudson helped Ashton navigate the world of tech, decoding all the confusing, technical jargon and even helping Ashton earn cool points with the team thanks to his gaming knowledge. In return, Ashton helped Hudson redesign his apartment, convincing him that your space should spark joy. That small project sparked a much bigger passion, leading Hudson to a career shift—now, he’s a full-time interior designer. But love isn’t just about fun dates and career wins. Over the years, Ashton and Hudson navigated life’s biggest challenges together—a global pandemic, the loss of loved ones, sickness, and the adventure (and occasional chaos) of buying their first home. Through it all, Hudson ensured they had a strong foundation, while Ashton made sure life was always filled with joy, adventure, and just the right amount of spontaneity. Looking back, it’s funny that they ever thought this would be a short-lived thing. After everything—the “just friends” phase, the marathon conversations, the highs, the challenges, and the unforgettable memories—one thing has never changed: they make a really great team. And now, they get to do this forever.