Who would have thought a simple app could change everything? We first "met" on Tinder in February of 2019. Haley sent the first message. Natali set up the first date. Our first date was at Brasil for a Frida and Flowers event, where we created succulent terrariums while watching the movie Frida. We were both nervous and drawn together immediately. Haley likes to fondly recall almost emptying her bank account to impress Natali with floral cocktails. Though we didn’t know it at the time, this date would perfectly represent our relationship: Haley’s love of plants, Natali’s love of themed events, our combined admiration for art, the joy of trying new things together, and the neighborhood we’d later spend countless days in (Montrose is appropriately called Houston’s gayborhood). In queer culture, there are jokes about "U-Haul Lesbians" who move quickly in relationships and move in together immediately after meeting. Though we definitely fell hard quickly and spent nearly every possible second of that first year together, we reasonably waited until month 11 before moving in. Multiple moves later, we've perfected the art of making wherever we are feel like home. Because Haley loves strays (and Natali loves Haley), our family has grown since we first met. Lucy, Buñuelo, Noodles, and Cowboy make up what Natali affectionately calls "The Menagerie." We, and the menagerie, have gone through a global pandemic, grad school graduation, job changes, a freeze, and freak accidents, so it naturally felt right to take the next step and make things official. Natali proposed on July 16th by recreating our first date at Brasil. Haley proposed just a few days later on July 19th with a Survivor themed scavenger hunt, making stops at all of our favorite places before arriving at the Museum of Fine Arts. Both proposals were perfect, sentimental, and very “us.”