Our first date took place during COVID, a time when the world felt uncertain and quiet. The high school I worked for had just moved to working from home, and lockdown had settled into everyday life. Brian and I had been talking for a couple of months, building a connection through conversations and anticipation, and we were finally ready to meet in person. Finding a public place was not easy, but after being cooped up for so long, I wanted the date to feel special, something that gave us both a reason to smile. Many places were closed, and the grand date I imagined, with him in a suit and me in a dress, simply was not possible. Instead, we chose the beach. Brian arrived in a nice shirt and jeans, and I wore a floral jumpsuit, both of us a little overdressed for the sand and completely unaware of how perfect that would turn out to be. We walked along the shoreline, talking and laughing, letting the waves and the open air melt away the heaviness of the world. The evening ended with a kiss, simple and sweet, yet full of promise.