The Summer of 2021 was a hot one in Miami, with the kind of heat that makes the air thick and the days stretch out lazily. For Justine, it was the summer of her final year in PA school, and her life was a blur of textbooks, clinical rotations, and endless cups of coffee. She had little time for herself, much less for a social life. However, a childhood friend's wedding was coming up (shout out to Michelle and Simon!), and despite her hectic schedule, she couldn't turn down the invitation. Meanwhile, Ashwin, a lifelong Connecticut native was navigating the process of buying his first home over 1,000 miles north of Miami, in Stamford (to which he likes to refer to as "the Miami of CT"). But during that process, he was very much looking forward to being a groomsman at Simon and Michelle’s wedding which not only was going to be a joyous celebration for them, but also lead to a moment that would change his life. Justine arrived to the wedding a bit flustered, having studied right up until the last minute. Ashwin, on the other hand, arrived ready to party. As the sun started to set, the ceremony began, and from her seat Justine first notices Ashwin, looking dapper as he strut with excitement being a groomsman. Fast forward a few hours, the dance floor was soon packed. Justine, needing a break from the crowd, wandered inside. She stood there, taking in the scene. She turned to see Ashwin walking up to introduce himself. His twinkling eyes and warm smile set Justine at ease, they both nervously exchanged a few words (none of which were remembered) and stepped onto the dance floor together, the music filling the air around them. The wedding ended, but their connection didn't. Despite the distance, their conversations continued. What started as casual texts and late-night calls soon turned into visits and weekend getaways. Justine showed Ashwin the vibrant life of Miami, from its beaches to its nightlife, while Ashwin introduced Justine to the serene beauty of Connecticut. Over time, their bond deepened. Justine always found herself laughing when she was around Ashwin, even on her most stressful days. Ashwin loved how Justine's eyes lit up when she talked about her dreams of becoming a PA and how thoughtful and caring she was to her family, friends and her patients. They supported each other through the challenges and celebrated the victories, big and small. In February of 2024, Ashwin planned a surprise trip to Portugal, a place they'd both dreamed of visiting. On their last day, he led Justine on a hike along the stunning cliffs off the Algarve coast. The waves crashed against the rocky cliffs below, the sun providing a spectacular display of oranges and pinks. Justine, breathless from the hike and the beauty around her, turned to find Ashwin on one knee. Now, as they prepare for their own wedding, they often look back on the night they met. It was the beginning of a journey neither of them had expected but both cherish deeply. Their story is a testament to the beautiful surprises life can bring when you least expect it. As their big day approaches, their one wish is to have all their loved ones join them on the dance floor where their journey began.