It all started at Sloan’s Lake in Denver - the halfway point between Benji and Christina’s homes and a favorite spot for their dogs, Lionel and Charlie. On this particular day, though, it wasn’t exactly ideal walking weather. A full-on snowstorm was raging, but both were determined to get their pups some exercise. They were the only two brave souls in the park - unless you count Lionel and Charlie, who instantly hit it off. Benji struck up a conversation and eventually asked for Christina’s number. She said yes… reluctantly (she was in the middle of ending something else at the time). They exchanged a few texts, then life carried on, and that was that. Fast forward a couple of months to sunnier skies. As fate would have it, they passed each other again at Sloan’s Lake. “Is that Charlie?” Christina called out - because she never forgets a dog’s face (even if she couldn’t quite recognize Benji under all those winter layers). Benji confirmed, spun around, and joined Christina and Lionel for a walk. The walk turned into a much longer walk, and pretty soon Christina was thinking, Wait… didn’t he already say that the last time? When they finally wrapped up, Benji said, “We should plan this next time.” Christina smiled and said, “Yeah… you already have my number.” Sure enough, he’d saved it under “Christina & Lionel.” What followed were weeks of planned “dog romps” at the park, full of easy conversation, mutual teasing, and a growing realization that maybe the universe (and their dogs) had been trying to set them up all along. Their first official date? Back at Sloan’s Lake, of course. The place where it all began - and one that still feels sacred to them today.