Our paths first crossed in 2011 at the facility where we both worked — I was the brand-new nurse, and he was the friendly (and a little too charming) social worker. In the beginning, we were just polite coworkers, exchanging smiles in passing. Over time, as years went by and I transferred to a unit closer to his office, those quick hellos turned into real conversations. Before long, we found ourselves surrounded by the same group of amazing coworkers who became our “work family” — friendships that still mean the world to us today. He had a rule back then: “Never date a coworker.” And for the most part, he stuck to it… though looking back, I’m pretty sure his rule didn’t cover lighthearted, consistent flirting. Then came 2020 — the year that changed everything. Healthcare was turned upside down, and we, like so many others, were running on empty. That’s when he decided to resign. But before he left, he also decided it was time to take a chance. When one of our close friend had people over, I was already planning to go — but he made very sure I wouldn’t miss it. That night, he finally made his move. And just like that, the chapter we didn’t even know we’d been writing for years truly began.