Picture this, I'm a college sophomore at James Madison University and I've just joined a fraternity. It's my first date function and I'm nervous but excited. With less than 24 hours turnaround time to the date function, I opt to go the friend route and invite a friend from my freshmen year dorm. All seems well as I spend the night before the date function sober driving my new fraternity brothers and returning alumni. Unfortunately, panic funnels in as my friend and expected date calls and cancels on me due to a sick relative. As quickly as my spirits sank, is as fast as they rose when she told me her friend, Emily Kerekes, had agreed to take her place. After a smooth first impression of knocking on the wrong door, Em and I hit it off immediately and spend the night talking and laughing together. As the night comes to an end, we exchange numbers and promise to keep in touch even after a failed attempt to seal the evening with a kiss. Over the next few weeks, Em and I text and call each other frequently. I find out that we have a lot in common, from our love of sports to our shared affinity for Migos. We start going on more dates, including a memorable one where I took Em to my favorite restaurant at JMU, the Wood Grill Buffet. I realize that I'm falling hard and fast! One night, after a particularly fun date, I work up the courage to tell Em how I feel about her. She feels the same way and we both agree to make our relationship official. We continue to date throughout college, going to parties, football games, and studying together. By the time we graduate, I know that Emily is the one for me. I'd like to end my story by reflecting on how grateful I am that my original date cancelled and thank God Emily Kerekes was there to take her place. I know that I wouldn't be where I am today without her, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her!