Kathryn and Alex first matched on a dating app, Bumble in February 2021. Alex was skiing in Utah, and they planned to go on a date when he returned…but over the next few weeks the date never happened, work and other things came up, and the texting slowed. They eventually stopped talking altogether, but something had been started, even if they didn’t know it at the time. A few months later, Alex was in a wedding, wearing a tuxedo, and the picture caught Kathryn’s eye, and she commented on it. Soon after, Kathryn was in Mexico with her family, and Alex replied to her posted picture. This continued back and forth until they planned another date, which was again delayed first by a case of shingles for Alex (ouch), then by an acne outbreak for Kathryn (lol), but the momentum was there and finally on Memorial Day 2021, the date that never happened…happened. They met at Kathryn’s apartment and walked to a local taco bar, Big Star, and got tacos and margaritas. It was a warm Chicago summer night, and the conversation and drinks flowed. They quickly found how much they had in common, and both felt there might be something more there. However…they also realized they were going to be working together closely at Rush Hospital, and despite the obvious chemistry, they didn’t want this new relationship to impact their jobs, so yet again the budding romance was paused. Alex started his fellowship working for Dr. Richard Berger and spent the first 8 weeks working side-by-side with Kathryn in the operating room. Kathryn, always cool and collected in surgery, was so nervous her first day with Alex standing next to her. Alex was just excited to be next to Kathryn every day. As those 8 weeks came to an end, any last hesitations disappeared. Alex texted Kathryn, “I might regret this, but are you free on Friday?” They started dating formally, determined to not let any other obstacles stop them!