Aidan and I met through our mutual friend, Ben. We didn't talk much at the comedy club that night, but when Ben told me Aidan watched anime, I knew that he and I had to get to know each other better. Luckily, Aidan invited us over for his birthday at the end of the week. I wasn't brave enough to ask for his number then, but I made him a birthday card to try and establish a friendship. In return, Aidan got my number from Ben the following day to thank me. Time was ticking. At that point, I was leaving Washington in less than two weeks for the new school year. So before I could talk myself out of it, I made plans to hang out with Aidan over the weekend. We hit it off pretty quickly and spent the remaining week seeing each other as often as possible. I had the option of letting everything end there. After all, we were going to spend the next 10 months over 1,000 miles apart, we barely knew each other, and we were both a little leery of relationships. August 28 came, and Aidan and I were with each other for what I thought might be the last time. And then it hit me: if I let Aidan go right now, then I might never see him again. And so, I told him, "I think we should try dating." I must've twisted his arm a little since he had less than a day to consider it, but it worked. Aidan and I have shared the past 3 years together. And I'm happy to write that, soon, I'll be married to the love of my life.