S ‪‪❤︎‬‪ M

Our first date was the Christmas Zoo Lights. Before we headed out to the Zoo Lights, we stopped to get dinner at Tanuki Japanese Steakhouse. This was Matt’s first time ever eating sushi, and Shayla didn’t know it—but he agreed because she loves sushi. Not before risking her life when he took a risky left turn into the plaza. The car was maybe a blink away in her memory… After some delicious sushi, off to the zoo they went. Lights glimmering, laughter in the crowd, and some hot cocoa to help with the cold winter air. He walked her around like he knew the place inside and out. We’d soon find out he used to work at the zoo! Pretty cool! She learned his favorite animal is a grizzly bear, and hers are seahorses. After the zoo, they made a quick stop at Panera so he could eat some chicken noodle soup and a piece of baguette. Sitting in his car, eating soup and talking about life, they decided to each play one song to judge each other’s music taste. He played “Eat Your Young” by Hozier—a common favorite artist! Already off to a good start. Her song? She played “Agora Hills” by Doja Cat. With work the next day, he took her home—but not before again putting her life at risk with a questionable right turn. In that moment, she thought, this man doesn’t know how to drive. Little did she know he’d be parking three states away from the store and she’d be hiking her way inside. After making it home safely, they hugged goodbye and went their separate ways…only for him to come back three months later, fully moved in. But that’s a story for next time!