Corinne and Thanh’s story didn’t begin with a single moment—it unfolded over time, the way the best friendships often do. They first met in 2019 through an indoor climbing club, where Corinne would occasionally host events and Thanh would show up. Back then, they were just familiar faces—acquaintances who exchanged the occasional Instagram comment, nothing more, nothing less. Then came 2020, a year full of unexpected moments. One afternoon, while Corinne was out on a run, she passed a group of masked strangers. Something made her look twice—and there was Thanh. They both paused just long enough to laugh and say, “I know you!” before continuing on their separate ways. It was brief, but memorable. Six months later, fate stepped in again—this time on a snowy hike at Preacher’s Rock. Corinne, hiking with a friend, spotted a familiar face yet again. Thanh had come chasing snow that day and noticed her in the parking lot. What started as a chance encounter turned into a shared hike, easy conversation, and the kind of connection that feels natural without trying. By the end of that day, they made a simple plan: to become each other’s climbing partners. Over the next two years, that plan turned into something more. Between climbs, conversations, and even a dream trip to Yosemite, their friendship deepened into something steady and meaningful. And eventually, it became clear—this was worth exploring. So they did. And the rest, as they say, is history.