Devon and I have know each other for about 15 years. We would always see each other in passing at local watering holes (usually Beachside Tavern). The years passed by, then one night I went to a friends house and she was there playing pool. Covid had just hit and almost the whole country was shut down so we could only get together at friends homes. I always thought she was beautiful but was always too shy to have a real conversation with her. I did small talk and kept thinking, don't talk too much and say something dumb. Fast-forward a few more weeks, I was at another friends house and wound up talking to one of Devon's good friends about how I would want my future to be if I could plan it out (yes, there were cocktails involved). Wouldn't ya know that friend of Devon's (Christy) had a hair appointment with Devon not long after that. I don't know what girls usually talk about in the salon but that day it was me! Devon was single and Christy decided she was going to play match-maker and the two of them came up with a plan. That evening I was doing Taco Tuesday with my friends and one of my buddies, Louis, says "Let's go to the Garlic. There is a girl, Devon, that wants you to meet her there." I brushed it off and said I only know one Devon and she doesn't want to me to meet her. I showed Louis her Facebook profile and Louis said it was the same girl. I kept thinking this is a joke! I argued that I had to be up for work in the morning but I ended up going even though I was nervous. We had a great night and talked until 4am about life, love, religion and everything in between. So much for me getting to bed early for work! We kept talking every day after that and our feelings grew. Six months later I asked her to be my wife and the rest is history. I titled this "So Close" for all the years Devon and I had been right in front of each other and never knew what was to come.