After two months of dating, Dillon and I were completely in love, so naturally, I wanted him to meet my family. With Spring Break 2019 right around the corner, I asked Dillon if he wanted to go skiing (and also meet my parents, siblings, ...their spouses, .....some aunts and uncles, etc.). Surprisingly, Dillon was very excited. His Canadian roots and history as a competitive skier had prepared him for this very moment. We met my family at the Denver airport and settled into a beautiful lodge near the base of Copper Mountain. After a fantastic day of skiing, we started to hear some rumors about the mountain getting shut down, and almost all at once, it was announced. Bad news = the mountain was closing. Good news = NYU's Spring break was getting extended. (Woo hoo!) Without thinking too long or hard about what to do next, Dillon accepted my parent's invitation to come back and stay with us in Boca Raton, FL (just until Spring Break ended). I was thrilled!! Unexpectedly, a few weeks turned into a few months and Dillon got an inescapable, uninterrupted introduction to my amazing mom & dad. By my side, during a globally shared experience of pause and uncertainty, I got to live with my best friend. I could not be more grateful for this unique experience that stretched far beyond Spring Break 2019. We began to share this Covid journey that continued for the next few years. From 2019 to 2022, Dillon and I lived in Boca Raton, FL; Goldens Bridge, NY; Vaughan, ON; Banff; AB; and New York, NY ...five different homes, four different states/provinces, and two different countries. During this time, we were unable to leave each other's side and it solidified our shared desire to always keep it this way. After four months of dating, two of which were in isolated lockdown, I started secretly writing my vows knowing this was my partner for life. I love you DK. xoxo Nikki Budoff Keay