Written by Jordan Prawdzik We met like any other couple does in their 20s—during routine N95 mask fitting. I took on a volunteer opportunity to assist third-year nursing students as they transitioned from college. Janai was one of the 200 students I was instructed to test. Brief aside: this test involves a large translucent cylinder placed around the full circumference of your head, and it’s pivotal that you have a complete seal on your mask. Janai arrived with her then-roommate at the entrance to the exam room, smiling and asking if they could sneak in, as they had forgotten to book a time. I let Janai in to join the other student who was scheduled at the same time. The test began. I delivered the instructions and started walking the two of them through the steps. As we went along, I couldn’t help but notice these giant, beaming eyes following me around the room. Janai, with that same smile she had when she arrived, had it creeping up her cheeks, eventually poking out the sides of her mask. I couldn’t look away. I forgot who the other student was in the room that day. I passed them both, circled her name, and burned it into my memory—it would’ve been a crime if I never got to see her again. As far as the test goes, technically that was a fail, as she didn’t get a complete seal on her mask—but I couldn’t have cared less. From there, every class we shared, every practicum placement, every glance in the halls was my opportunity to make an impression. I did what any guy would do to get a girl like that: sit at the front of the class and answer every question the professor asked. She sat at the back eating her breakfast. “Well, surely if I buy some doughnuts for the practicum orientation, she will notice…” She was the only one who didn’t grab one. Alright, back to the drawing board… “Perfect, I’ll shoot her a smile every time I pass her in the halls after class…” She was always in the gym. How did these two end up together, you might be thinking? Well, I finally figured out the formula. During the nursing students’ welcome party, I devised a plan: if she showed up, I would talk to her. Genius, I thought—nothing could go wrong. But how would I do it? Surely I couldn’t just approach her—that would be too obvious. So, while one of my mutual friends, Cassie, was introducing herself to Janai, I very nonchalantly (and swiftly) kicked her in the shin and muttered, “Introduce me.” I swung around, shook her hand, said something awesome (probably), and she asked me to dance. When I met Janai on the dance floor, she was wearing the DJ’s headphones because she “really liked this song.” I gave it my best, and we danced the night away—my moves graceful, measured, crane-like. Janai’s were confident, practiced, and wild. She danced like we were the only ones out there. When the night ended, Janai asked when she could see me again, and I said, “Let’s go grab a coffee next week.” We’ve been getting coffees for over seven years now. Thanks for being a part of Janai’s and my journey so far—we’re excited to celebrate with all of you