The sun sank slowly behind the UC Irvine library. The sky was pink and white when blushing clouds began slowly fading into night, and there she was. We met in passing. Some brothers from the Korean ministry and I were heading onto campus to invite people to church. She was leaving with some fellow English ministry campus folk after finishing their midweek fellowship. I had never seen her before. It was a quick hello, smile, wincing of the eyes and departing wave. "What was her name?” I'm known to have a horrible short-term memory with names. "Briana", he said. "Mm", I said. Time went on and I’d accidentally run into her by waiting for her ministry’s Sunday service to end just so happening to walk by her, playing cool by saying hello to those around her, then aloofly noticing her. “Hi. Briana right?” This time a hug, a smile, wincing of the eyes then departing wave. I’d always look back, but she’d already be engaged in another conversation. She was popular. Known for giving big hugs and having the purest heart. (A mutual friend of ours Nick once told me that he didn’t think she was capable of doing wrong or saying unkind things) More time had passed and we had gone on some double dates together. My interest grew with every date. She was funny, smart, willing to think deeply, explore scripture, and do Zoom Mukbang together. So I had to know. I had to do some research. “What are your thoughts on dating, is that something that you’ve ever thought about?” From what I recall I asked more tactfully, less obvious. “Umm…I haven’t thought about it. But if I were to date someone then I’d have to be friends with them first.” “Ok” I thought. “But it takes me about two years before I can call someone ‘friend’. So ya, I guess I could date someone after two years.” Time stood still as I sat in that Whole Foods seating area pushing asparagus around the to-go box. “Two years?!” I inquisitively exclaimed. Half laughingly, half challenged, “It takes two years to call someone a friend?” She laughed but was completely serious. I could tell. “Whelp” I thought, “we’re going to build the best friendship ever”. And over four years that’s just what we did.