We met on July 11, 2020, at Fayetteville Lake, surrounded by laughter and the warmth of mutual friends. All night, his friends playfully nudged us together, but fate seemed to have other plans. We quickly forged a deep bond, becoming best friends who spent the next three years weaving our lives together in a tapestry of shared moments and late-night conversations. Despite the well-meaning nudges from friends urging us to explore something more, we both cherished our friendship, believing it was too precious to risk. Then came St. Patrick’s Day. After a long, draining day at work, we decided to meet at Blake's Street for drinks. The atmosphere buzzed with celebration, and as the night wore on, we found ourselves surrounded by his family at Post Oak. Something shifted in the air that night—an unspoken understanding flickered between us, igniting feelings we had long kept at bay. The following three months were a delicate dance, navigating the waters between friendship and romance. Each moment was filled with uncertainty, but also the thrill of possibility. Finally, on May 2, 2023, Eric took a deep breath and asked me to be his girlfriend. It was a moment I had dreamt of, yet it felt like the beginning of a complicated journey. As our relationship blossomed, the challenges began. I was in the final semester of nursing school, juggling weekend shifts and late-night clinicals, while Eric balanced his own responsibilities. The stress of exams and deadlines often overshadowed our time together, casting a shadow over the budding romance. And then came the news: I would be moving to San Antonio to start my nursing career. My heart raced with excitement and fear. Could our relationship withstand the distance? Eric faced a pivotal decision of his own. In a surprising twist, we both chose to embrace the unknown and take a leap of faith, moving to San Antonio together. For those who knew Eric, this was a monumental step—a testament to his commitment to our love. As we settled into our new lives, we faced challenges, but we also found strength in each other. With each passing day, our bond deepened, solidifying our choice. And so, the rest is history—two friends who found their way to love, embarking on a new journey hand in hand, ready to write the next chapter of our forever.