Lorna’s Version We met in October 2022, and even though we hit it off fast, coordinating a first date felt impossible. Between work, schedules, life, and the classic “we’ll figure it out” lie, we kept changing plans. But we talked constantly, real conversations, not small talk. The kind where you hang up and somehow still have more to say. It made the connection feel exciting… and a little intimidating. Then Edgar came up with his “crazy idea”, “What if I fly you to Philadelphia for our first date?” Crazy… and also kind of amazing. So of course, I said yes. When I got to Philly, I refused to sit in a hotel. I made it my own adventure day, the Museum of Art, the Rocky statue, coffee shops, breweries, long walks. Meanwhile Edgar was working and getting ready, and we were texting like, “Where are you now?” because we both knew if we ran into each other early, the “first moment” would be ruined. I got a little too into my exploring and nearly made myself late. But the second we saw each other, it was effortless, immediate comfort, chemistry, and that calm that still feels exciting. We clicked instantly… even though we both tried to act like we were totally fine. Total denial. The night was not “perfect” in a scripted way, but it was perfect because we were together, laughing, talking, bouncing around, just enjoying each other. I remember thinking, this feels different. Like the kind of connection that does not need a fancy setting to be special. We took our time, let it grow naturally, and eventually had to admit what everyone else probably already knew, we were officially “a thing.” Since then, we have built a home, added Benito (endless energy), blended our family, and created a life we genuinely love. We love to travel, we love to cook together, and it is funny that travel was part of our first conversation… because our first date literally required boarding a plane. And now… here we are, ready to make it official with all of our favorite people by our side. Edgar’s Version We met online and immediately did what we do best, talked for hours. FaceTime after FaceTime… the kind where you hang up and realize it is past midnight and you are not even tired. I still remember our first “virtual date” because I treated it like a real date-date. I shaved. I set the vibe. I lit candles. I put on a decent shirt like I was going somewhere. I was ready. Lorna, meanwhile, was perfectly relaxed, like she had just gotten home from work and casually decided to bless me from the couch. Effortless. Unbothered. Confident. When I suggested we meet for the first time in a different city, I was excited… and also nervous. We were both so worried we would “accidentally” run into each other beforehand that we stayed in constant contact like we were coordinating a secret mission. She explored Philly on her own while I worked and got ready, and I loved that about her right away, independent, curious, adventurous… and somehow still willing to meet a stranger at a rooftop restaurant. I was not nervous all day… until I walked in. Then I sat there waiting, feeling like it took twelve business days for her to arrive. But when she did, she was even more beautiful than I imagined. I had romantic plans with backups, Plan B, Plan C, probably Plan D and almost none of it went perfectly. That is when it clicked, you do not need fancy, you do not need perfect, you just need the right company. After the rooftop we ended up at a local dive bar, and it felt like we were in our own bubble. Like the rest of the room disappeared. That is when I knew this was not just chemistry. It was connection. Fast forward, we own a home, our families are blended, Benito runs the house, and now we are planning a future together. Also, we both appreciate intelligence, we love to travel, we love to cook, and we were culturally aligned from day one. The first thing we bonded over was travel… and our first date literally involved travel. So yes, this was meant to be.