It started like any other sunny afternoon in Denver. The parks were buzzing with life—dogs tugging at their leashes, volleyballs soaring over nets, and picnic blankets scattered like confetti on the grass. Brittany, hoping for a quiet escape, was walking her Collie, Sully, down to the Platte River. She just wanted to let him splash around and clear her mind. But when she got there, peace was the last thing she found. Standing thigh-deep in the dirty river was Jamie—shirtless, carefree, and full of energy—tossing sticks for his dog, Trooper. As he waded through the water, he multitasked: scooping up trash and grumbling about how people were wrecking the planet, while somehow carrying on conversations with nearly everyone (and every dog) within a hundred feet. Brittany found a quiet little corner for herself and Sully, steering clear of the chaos. Unlike Jamie, she wasn’t in the mood for small talk. She came to recharge after work. So she waited patiently—until, one by one, everyone drifted off, leaving just her and Jamie by the water. Jamie finally pulled his shirt back on and strolled over, flashing a smile. He’d been there for a few hours already— but had been waiting for the right moment to talk to the quiet girl with the well-behaved Collie. They ended up staying another hour, their dogs playing like old friends while they traded jokes and made easy conversation. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, they realized they lived in the same direction. They walked home side by side, swapping numbers and making plans for the days ahead. Neither of them knew it then, but at that unassuming rock on the Platte River, they’d stumbled upon something rare—something that felt a little bit like forever.