September 4, 2001: the first day of 6th grade. Annelise didn’t speak any Spanish, and Fernando was just learning English. Their common language, however, was soccer. He remembers a girl who could run as fast as he could, and who could dribble (passing the ball was another matter), with a sweet smile. She remembers him that first day “he was dressed for church! Dark pants, a white button down and his hair slicked back within an inch of its life. His mom must’ve been so very proud! He was so cute!” Fernando switched schools in 7th grade. They kept in touch over the next several years, and tried to date in high school. It didn’t work out. University years and early twenties flew by. Labor Day 2023, in 104 degree heat, Annelise asked Fernando to join her for a walk around the lake. It was their first meeting in 8 years. The sparks were still there. The day? September 4, 2023. 22 years to the day.