We first connected on Hinge in May 2024, both reluctantly giving dating apps one last shot. Turns out, that swipe was the start of something extraordinary. From the beginning, we were drawn to each other’s energy and found a natural rhythm in our conversations. We bonded over a shared love of music, travel, sports, and the deep importance we place on family and friendships. After a long Memorial Day weekend, we met in person at Remedy in Wicker Park—Gabriela’s favorite happy hour spot. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and we instantly felt a special connection. Gabriela had to dash off to her softball game, but not before we made plans to see each other again. (Fun fact: she even snuck a video of me walking away to share with her friends—expressing the date was a hit!) Meanwhile, I called my own friends on the walk home, absolutely thrilled about how great it had been. In the weeks that followed, we dove headfirst into each other’s worlds. We celebrated birthdays with friends, cheered on the White Sox, and shared sweet moments over ice cream at Margie’s. It didn’t take long to realize that not only were we falling for each other, but we were falling in love with each other’s friends and families too. Following our hearts, on June 16th, we officially became a couple. Since then, we've realized we can't imagine a day without each other. For us, it was much more than a lucky match; it was the start of our fairytale, built on laughter, profound connection, and a love that truly feels like home.