In Fall 2016, Melissa-Irene finally started graduate school after mulling it over for the better part of a decade. She had applied on a whim to the MSW program after a friend suggested it, and before she knew it she was making plans to leave her job to go back to school. Little did she know, her future wife had applied to the same program, and they both attended orientation in August that year. By way of a silly icebreaker, Melissa-Irene ended up being called to the front of the room in front of 100 other students, and Catherine couldn't help but wonder, "Who is she?!" Before then, Catherine had been traveling the world throughout her 20s, and was finally ready to put down some adult roots. After applying to a few schools, she ultimately chose VCU and Richmond, unaware how important that decision would be. It would be another year before we finally met, but Catherine recognized her immediately. "That's that beautiful woman from orientation. Play it cool, C-Paul, play it cool!" You see, we were both in relationships at the time, and never thought we'd be more than friends. But friends we became, and quickly, grabbing snacks in the commons and getting lost in conversation after class in the increasingly chilly fall air. By the end of the semester, the relationships we were both in had reached their natural end points. Out of respect for her now-former relationship, Melissa-Irene had never even entertained the idea of dating Catherine. But, once she heard Catherine was single, she finally admitted to herself just how much she wanted to be with her. On January 3, 2018, Melissa-Irene spent all day cooking dinner while Catherine drove home from Philadelphia. While we had our first official date, a heavy snow began to fall and continued throughout the night. Our first date lasted 24 hours and, as they say, the rest is history. Many couples learned during the height of the pandemic that they did not do well quarantined together. The opposite was true for us: every challenge we have faced, whether it's moving, taking care of young animals, planning trips, or resolving our own disagreements, has strengthened our love, connection, and respect for one another. From Melissa-Irene: Catherine is my best friend, my life partner, my collaborator, my heart, and soon, my spouse. I can't wait to celebrate with our families as we begin this new part of our lives. From Catherine: Melissa-Irene is one of the most disarmingly beautiful and brilliant people I have ever met. We love the parts of each other that are both easy and difficult, and as a result, have created a beautiful little life. Knowing that I love and am loved not only by this incredible woman (who, for some reason, has agreed to spend the rest of her life with me), but also by our community of family and friends, warms my heart in a way that cannot be expressed in words. How did I get so lucky? From Melissa-Irene: The same way I did.