We first met in middle school and stayed in each other's orbit throughout high school, connected by mutual friends but never more than good acquaintances. We both graduated from Tuscarora High School in 2010. Fast forward thirteen years... On my beloved grandfather's first heavenly birthday, my mom and a family friend, Justin, took me out to Brewer’s Alley to lift my spirits. That’s when I spotted Ben at the end of the bar with two drinks in front of him. I recognized him immediately but assumed he was waiting for a date, so I didn’t approach him. Little did I know, Ben had recognized me too but didn’t want to intrude on my time with family. After a second mojito, I worked up the courage to say hello—and thank God I did! Ben wasn’t waiting for a date (thankfully). He was just double-fisting a Bud Light and a Jack and Coke. We lost track of time, talking and catching up for two hours straight. To this day, it’s still up for debate who asked for whose number or who asked who out, but a week later, we had our first date at Cacique Mexican Restaurant. We've been inseparable ever since. And it’s all thanks to that second mojito.