Our story of coming together will vary by whomever you ask. I always begin with “Well, there’s a long story, and there’s a short story…” The short story, I tell them, is that Brian is my best friend’s long-lost cousin. Brian’s mom, Diana, had spent decades searching for her birth family. Thanks to a DNA test and the assistance of social media, they were heart-warmingly reunited. At Brian’s brother’s wedding he met his new-found cousin, Gabriella, who just so happens to be my best friend for the last 23 years. Gabriella, seeing potential, reached out to him a week before our girl’s trip to Miami, inviting him to join us. Brian spoke to his parents regarding this invitation, and fondly remembers his mom’s characteristic enthusiasm, contrasted with his dad’s reaction, laughingly asking if he was seriously flying to Florida for a blind date. Brian, in quintessential Brian fashion, booked his flight that day. Within moments of his arrival at our airbnb, I knew Brian was going to be someone special in my life. He bounded towards us with gusto, luggage in tow. His green eyes sparkled, and his energy and warmth were infectious. Soon after, Gabriella and I were leading him along for his “vegan baptism” at our favorite restaurant, Planta. We were laughing all night, drinking espresso martinis, and gallivanting around the city. As we parted ways after the trip, myself for Chicago where I was in residency, and Brian for Boston, I knew we had the beginnings of something special. Through the best of times as well as the worst of times our connection grew stronger. One evening, a year and a half later, when Brian and I were getting dinner at Planta in Chicago, he handed me a card that shared his hopes and dreams for us. I looked up from the card to see those same sparkling eyes full of hope and love now so many months later, and him kneeling before me asking me to marry him. Embarking on our new chapter together, Boston has become our home. I shall begin work as a Hospitalist at Mass General, and Brian continues as a product manager just across the bridge at Google. We are excited to build our life together and are eagerly looking forward to celebrating our marriage with you all!