We met at the first school we worked at together… because nothing says romance like workplace professionalism. Irene had already been there for three months, working as a special education assistant. John, on the other hand, was the new guy—nervous, trying to make a good impression, and low-key hoping he wouldn’t forget anyone’s name within the first five minutes. That morning, before walking in, John sat in his car and completed his 5-point inspection: Hair? Check. Teeth? Check. Boogers? Double check. Glasses? On. Breath? Minty fresh. Now feeling prepared, John walked into the school. Irene had arrived about 10 minutes earlier… and that’s when we first saw each other. Later, when the school introduced the new guy, Irene was excited—finally, someone close to her age! She’ll tell you there was an instant connection. John will tell you he was just trying not to mess up his introduction. Not long after, we crossed paths again during lunch in the staff cafeteria. Irene was heating up her food when John struck up a conversation. It was brief, but it left Irene hoping it wouldn’t be the last. As she took her lunch out of the microwave, she turned to introduce herself properly… only to realize John had already left the room! Still determined, Irene made another move on Halloween that same year. We were out at a tiki bar taking pictures with a friend, and Irene told John she’d send him the photos—she just needed his number. John? Stubborn. Playing hard to get. He brushed it off and said, "No, thanks." But eventually, John came around. He made his move, “put the ball in her court,” and asked Irene out on a Peruvian dinner date. We even caught Bohemian Rhapsody in theaters that night. Little did we know… that was the beginning of something special.