Many couples meet by happenstance or mutual introductions from friends, but it was work that brought Charles and Thelma together. Love wasn’t on their agenda when they crossed paths, but destiny had a different plan. Charles and Thelma met in the fall of 2021, during the peak of the COVID–19 pandemic, after he accepted a remote position with the USDA. Charles’ first week with the USDA was filled with engaging team-building activities on critical thinking and problem solving. One of the icebreaker activities challenged the team to choose one item they would bring if stranded on a deserted island, explain why they chose it, and discuss how it would aid in the survival. They then had to figure out ways to combine their items for improved chances of survival. To make a long story short, Thelma voted Charles off the island. Luckily, Charles was a good sport and didn’t hold that against her. The two began working on several projects, but one project in particular required them to spend many hours together where they soon discovered they had a lot in common. They would talk often about all kinds of hypothetical issues, life concerns, skating, bowling, or just about anything. As fate would have it, Thelma transferred to another office and Charles told her it was a bittersweet moment for him because, unbeknownst to them both, somewhere in between that deserted island and collaborating together, something wonderful happened. They’d become friends! LOVE CAN BE FOUND EVEN WHEN YOU'RE NOT LOOKING One day, Charles asked Thelma if she was interested in dating. They both agreed their friendship was a great foundation and the distance, although a challenge, would allow them to focus on what they both desired in a loving relationship before moving beyond friends. After a year of long-distance dating, love brought Charles to Maryland, but after their nuptials, it'll be taking Thelma to Texas.