Arthur and I met on the most modern of platforms—Hinge—in late January of 2023. Our first conversation was filled with playful back and forths that quickly led to a dinner date at Uchi. Arthur’s text, in classic Dutch precision, set the tone: “Goeiemorgen, just wanted to remind you the Uchi reservation is 8:15 tonight. Please let me know if you'll be running late.” (Spoiler: I was 5 minutes late, and Arthur still loves to remind me of it!) That night, we closed down the bar, completely absorbed in conversation. Despite coming from opposite sides of the world—Arthur from Amsterdam and me from Colorado—we discovered so many parallels in our lives. Arthur had even applied to UBC, where I went to undergrad, and I had spent a life-changing year studying abroad in Leiden. It felt like the universe had been weaving our paths together long before we met. Over the next few months, Arthur swept me off my feet with the most amazing dates—indoor skydiving, ski trips to Steamboat and Aspen, and a getaway to Mexico. When he left for a month-long bike ride across America, he worried I wouldn’t stick around. (Spoiler: I wasn’t going anywhere.) By the time we booked a trip to Europe for after his ride, we already knew we were building something special. We talked three times a day while he was gone, and the distance only brought us closer. That summer, we traveled to London and The Netherlands together, and everything fell perfectly into place. From meeting his incredible family to navigating lost luggage, cancelled flights, and even a misplaced wallet, we handled it all with laughter and grace. It was in those moments—through the adventures and the chaos—that we knew we were forever. And now, here we are, ready to start the next chapter of this beautiful journey together. ❤️