Stefan and I officially met in January 2021 while walking our dogs at a dog park in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Neither of us were looking for anything at the time, but life had other plans. What began as a chance encounter quickly turned into a daily routine. We found ourselves meeting at the dog park every day, walking, talking, and getting to know one another for hours at a time. Before long, it was clear that there was something special between us. As it turns out, our story began long before that day in 2021. Years earlier, Stefan's family lived across the street from my childhood best friend, Sam. Whenever Stefan drove by in his Miata, we would peek through the window to watch him go past. Never did I imagine that one day we'd end up together. Our families were connected in other ways, too. Stefan's older sister, Tabatha, attended nursing school with my mom, Amy, and they formed a special friendship. Later, my mom became a paraprofessional in the classroom of Stefan's niece, Vayda, creating another meaningful connection between our families. Looking back, it feels as though our lives were gently weaving together for years before we ever met. What seemed like a simple meeting at the dog park was really the beginning of a story that had been unfolding all along.