Our story is one of almosts and near-misses, of being just out of sync until fate (technology) finally stepped in. We went to the same high school, but as Ted was heading off to college, Madelyn was just coming in. We had both walked the same hallways, but never had the opportunity to meet back then. Over the years, we unknowingly shared so many spaces, attending the same local events, concerts, and festivals, always within reach but never quite crossing paths. It wasn’t until a short conversation on Bumble that we started connecting the dots. As we swapped stories, it quickly became clear we had hundreds of mutual connections, shared memories of places we’d both been, and maybe even brushed past each other in those crowded places over the years. Our first date was the perfect encapsulation of our story. We sat at an empty bar top on a quiet Sunday night, just the two of us, piecing together all the "just missed" encounters that had unknowingly shaped our lives. Five hours flew by as we laughed, swapped Bonnaroo stories, and marveled at how we’d lived side by side without ever meeting. The year before we met, Ted had actually bought a house in the neighborhood right next to Madelyn's family home—unknowingly living just a mile away from where she grew up and where her parents still live today! That night marked the start of our adventure together, and from that night on, we were inseparable. Now, nine years later, we’ve built a beautiful life together, sharing the adventures that we both once experienced separately. We are grateful that the universe finally decided to bring us together when the timing was just right!