It was a warm night in May when fate decided to intervene. Through Steven’s half-sister, our worlds collided in the most unexpected way—a casual phone conversation that soon turned into hours of laughter, storytelling, and the kind of banter that makes you feel like you’ve known someone forever. At that time, we were both convinced that love wasn’t in the cards for us anymore. We had closed that chapter, or so we thought. But something about that first connection sparked a flame. The very next day, we couldn’t resist reaching out to each other. What started as friendship quickly grew into something profound—a bond that felt effortless, natural, and undeniably right. When I traveled to Chicago to visit Steven for the first time, my heart was already his. And when we finally met face to face, it felt like coming home. That trip was magical, filled with quiet moments that spoke volumes and laughter that lit up every corner of the city. It was the beginning of a love that we hadn’t dared to dream of but somehow found anyway. Despite the miles between us, we cherished every trip back and forth, each visit reinforcing what we already knew: we were meant to be together. Now, here we are, planning a wedding and dreaming of a future hand in hand. Our love story is a testament to life’s beautiful surprises—the ones that show up when you least expect them and remind you that the best things are always worth the wait.