We met for the first time at a mutual friend's place (Hobo's Haven) when Joel was coming to see a house for rent in the neighborhood. Joel immediately caught my eye as the instant connection sparked. I remember asking our friends Ian and Michelle, "Who was that?!" once he left. A couple months later, Joel "randomly" came to one of my yoga classes and we began a friendship surrounding his regular attendance to my classes. I remember knowing deep down from the beginning that he was going to be an important person in my life. After a few weeks, I had built up the courage to ask him for his number. I even practiced this awkward moment with friends who knew I had a huge crush (I swear I don't usually pick up on my yoga students). After class one day, he approached me to tell me that was the last class he would be attending as he was leaving to travel and ski for a few months. Bummer, right?! He quickly followed that by telling me he had made me a playlist to thank me for the yoga classes and needed my number to send it to me. Okay, I thought, I'm in! The guy just made me a modern-day mixtape. Not quite. The next day, he texted me saying, "Hey friend! Here is the playlist I made you. Hope you enjoy." The next few texts began with the word 'friend' and even at one point, 'dude'. I thought for sure I was friend-zoned. Until, however, he asked me on a formal date and even offered to pick me up...an incredibly rare event in Tahoe akin to catching a unicorn. From that moment on, we were inseparable.