In April of 2017, in the vast world of online dating, two lives were about to collide in the most unexpected way. Crystal was a dedicated single mom to a spirited 2 1/2-year-old named Layla, while Michael was a proud dog dad to Roofus. One of them was cautiously dipping their toes back into the dating scene, while the other was enthusiastically exploring every possibility. (We’ll leave it to your imagination to guess who was who!) One day, Crystal decided to make the first move with a classic line: “I don’t normally do this.” Little did they know, this charming opener would become a running joke. “You know, Crystal hit on me first, she saw all this and swiped right!” he’d say with a grin, never missing a chance to remind Crystal of her bold initiation and his handsomeness of course. Their conversations flowed from text to phone calls, with Crystal gently nudging Michael towards the next step. Eventually, they arranged their first hangout at Starbucks. Michael, ever the candid soul, revealed he wasn’t looking for anything serious and that he usually took dates to bars. So, Crystal couldn’t help but ask, “Why coffee then?” Michael shrugged and said, “You don't seem like the bar type.” He would find out years later through old stories this wasn't true. Despite the unconventional start, their connection blossomed. Things took a humorous turn a couple of months in when Michael met Layla during an epic meltdown outside of Crystal's house. Crystal and Michael navigated that unexpected moment with the kind of ease that only a potential connection could provide. The relationship was a bit of a slow burn—one of them took six months to fully commit to the relationship (but we’ll keep that detail under wraps). Despite the slow pace, it was clear early on that there was something special. They bonded over their mutual love for music, the swap meet, tacos, and shared stubbornness, which only made their relationship more uh... endearing. Seven years later, they are thriving together, raising Layla, who’s undoubtedly stolen Michael’s heart. They have plans to start traveling a bit next year picking destinations with their tried and true family pick a name from the hat method. It’s been a journey full of patience and growth, proving that finding the right person at the right time makes all the difference. As we make this heartfelt commitment to one another, we couldn't imagine a more perfect way to celebrate than by sharing this special moment with the people we hold near and dear. It’s true what they say—you know when you know.”