In 2018, I saw Rachel’s profile on social media and took a chance. She responded. We talked. I asked her to go out with me. She asked where. “Living Spaces” I said. “The furniture store?” My idea of an amazing date in my late teens was to take her to sit on comfy couches and banter. It seems so odd that a years long love affair full of devotion, sacrifice, and compassion would start outside a furniture store in Redondo Beach all with the words “You’re Spencer right?” She was pretty. Very pretty. Too pretty? I bantered. She bantered back. I was hooked. There was just something about her that drew me to her. Besides her astonishing good looks, sharp wit, and blinding smile. Something in the way she is. After she drove away I remember thinking that this is fun but it surely can’t last. That first month, I had been playing it cool. That all came to an end when she was dropping me off at a friend's house. I hugged her goodbye and as I was getting out of the car, blurted out "I love you, bye." I shut the door and froze. I meant it, but I shouldn't have said it. I had to just own it and keep walking. 7 years later I’m glad I didn’t play it cool. I might have lost the most valuable thing I’ve ever known.