It was that classic movie moment: they meet in Central Park, he turns on the spot and their eyes meet, magnetic forces bring them together with beaming smiles... but this time, he pauses. In the very early days of the pandemic, we decided to meet in the park with our N95 masks walking two meters apart. However, upon seeing each other, we tacitly agreed to break those rules and hugged. We both knew that this was it: our quarantine love would be tested in a shoebox apartment on the Upper East Side teeming with potted plants, through a scorching summer with a window that cracked open only a smidgeon, and alongside a tiny furry hamster with a penchant for fleeing.

Standing in rain puddles atop an Athenian rooftop--still in strict lockdown--we welcomed the new year, eyes wide with hope and hearts warm with gratitude. Fireworks exploding across the city, Georgios took the opportunity to kneel and ask Mary to marry him. She stared aghast and sobbed. Our love, η αγάπη μας, is a gift we work tirelessly to cherish and never take for granted. A lifetime together offers us unfathomable happiness, and we look forward to sharing our wedding, our first day of forever, with you.