We met doing almost everything your parents — or internet safety — tells you NOT to do. We were up late, video chatting on a website where you meet random strangers from all over the world on the internet. From that first night, the differences between us were obvious. We grew up in different environments, with vastly different traditions, experiences, and perspectives. And to add even more distance, I lived in Illinois and he lived in California. But, instead of those differences keeping us apart, those differences instead became the strongest ignition to our relationship. We stayed up until the sun was out in Illinois, telling stories about our lives, asking questions, and playing silly get-to-know-you card games. What started as sheer curiosity quickly turned into friendship and feelings. As luck had it, Cole ended up choosing to attend college just 3 hours away from me by car, opening the door for us to explore something beyond talking on the internet. Before I knew it, I was booking a flight to meet him and his friend Marty on their High School graduation road trip in Salt Lake City Utah, which Cole's mom would quickly find out about through Venmo transactions (Sorry, Cathy). Our differences did not come without challenge, of course, but I like to believe those nights we spent video chatting on the internet built a foundation of understanding. We saw each other for who we were, where we were, and who we wanted to be. We knew when to give each other space, and when to push each other to grow. And in our time together, boy have we grown. We moved in together, got our lovely cat Queso, graduated college, moved to the east coast (and also realized we do not like the east coast), started careers, and now we are beyond excited for you to join us in starting our new chapter!