I had just graduated from Chapman University on May 21, 2017 and had some time between moving to LA to come down to see my "little sis", Reggie Rover, graduate from our high school, Xavier College Prep. After the ceremony was over, I was heading back to my car when I saw Creighton, our friend Stephen Rodney and another classmate of theirs sitting under the shade. I hadn't seen them in 5 years, basically since when they graduated from Xavier, so I was thrilled to see them all again. Creighton gave me a hug, congratulated me on graduating from Chapman, and complimented me on a dance video I had just recently posted. I had always thought Creighton was a good guy, however, we never hung in the same circles during our time at Xavier. All I knew was that he had a great smile, good character and was an amazing basketball player. I told him we should catch up soon, so we exchanged numbers and I told him I'd shoot him a text the next week. There were no "sparks" or expectations, but I just knew it was so good to see him again. Fast forward two weeks, I realized I forgot to send him that text in the midst of moving to LA craziness. I had a performance coming up, so I reached out to see if he wanted to come. I recall him being busy that night, but that text started the conversation that never ended. We quickly went from talking about the weather, to him telling me that his grandfather may have known Fred Astaire (that got me), to asking every question under the sun. On June 12, I knew I was going to be in Orange County for a teaching job, and since he had just moved to OC for Masimo, I suggested we meet up in the Old Town Orange Circle, to grab some ice cream. I didn't think it was going to be a big deal, so I decided to go in my teaching clothes with no makeup. Once I parked, I had the gut feeling of "ok, maybe I'll try a little", so I changed into jeans and put some makeup on and walked towards the circle. Creighton was standing on the sidewalk, hands in his pockets, smiling from ear to ear. Cue the heart racing. He gave me the best hug (if you know Creighton you know how good his hugs are...) and we started walking and talking for hours. We talked about our families, our thoughts on the world, our college experiences, friendships; it was the first person I had ever (re)met that I truly agreed with on everything. After literally 7 hours, including that ice cream and a campus tour of Chapman, we figured we should probably call it a night. He offered to walk me to my car and we agreed to a beach date at the end of the week. I was so excited that I gave him a hug, got in my car, and drove away...forgetting I was supposed to drive him back to his car. 5 mins later, I realized I was also out of gas and it was 2am in the city of Orange, so I called him to keep me company on the phone while I pumped fuel at the gas station. Monday became Tuesday and we talked all day, every day. Neither of us were super attached to our phones, but that week it was a constant line of communication. By Thursday, I decided to tell him how I felt (via text...), and he didn't respond for an hour! I was literally sweating because of the nerves. Finally, after the longest hour of my life, I get a text that says "I'm so sorry, my 15 year old cousin stole my phone!" (Thanks, Chase). After that text, to my relief, he responded the exact same way. We met up on Friday, 6/16/17, for our first official date at Huntington Beach and talked until 3am. We just kept saying that we didn't know how or why we reconnected, but it had to be bigger than the both of us. 5 years later, I thank God that Creighton is my best friend and the love of my life, however, you won't catch him staying up past 3am anymore ;)