Our first date was planned for a Sunday afternoon at a spot in downtown Phoenix called The Duce. If you’ve never been, it’s a quirky mix of a restaurant, bar, and game zone. I was excited—it seemed like the perfect place to just hang out, have some fun, and not take things too seriously. When I showed up, I saw Justin standing outside, and we walked in together. As soon as we entered, something struck us both: we were the only people there. The massive space, normally filled with the sound of chatter and clinking glasses, was eerily quiet. As if that wasn’t funny enough, the music was blasting. The kind of loud that makes you feel like you’re shouting just to be heard. We found a cozy table and attempted to have a conversation, but I’m pretty sure we were both just laughing at how ridiculous the situation was. Here we were, trying to get to know each other, but we were yelling at each other over the thumping bass of a DJ set, feeling like we’d walked into some kind of surreal comedy sketch. But despite the noise and the weirdness, we just clicked. We spent hours talking, laughing, and getting to know each other over drinks and the occasional impromptu hula hoop challenge. The weirdness of the day made everything feel so much more fun and lighthearted. There was no pressure, just two people enjoying each other’s company in a bizarre, unexpected setting. Even in the chaos of that first date, even when the music was too loud to hear ourselves think, I felt something special. And it didn’t take long for Justin and I to realize we were on the same page. We saw each other every day after that. It’s funny how your first date doesn’t always go according to plan, but somehow, that’s what makes it perfect. For us, that chaotic, loud, and totally memorable day at The Duce set the stage for something incredible—something that’s turned into a lifetime of love, laughter, and adventure.