In the spring of 2022, we were both living in our own little worlds, balancing school, work, and friendships, with no idea how much life was about to change. When our university’s Honors Program announced a trip to Washington, DC, Marleni signed up immediately, excited for the adventure. Sam, on the other hand, wasn’t so sure. He debated staying home… until some last-minute convincing changed his mind. What he didn’t know was that this decision would quietly change everything. We arrived in DC completely unaware of each other’s existence, even though we went to the same school. It wasn’t until one of Sam’s close friends brought him over to Marleni’s friend group that our paths crossed. We talked, we laughed, we flirted, but when the trip ended, we both assumed that was probably it. Or so we thought. On the very first day back on campus, we ran into each other not once… not twice… but five times. It felt impossible to ignore, as if God were gently nudging us back together again and again. What started as a coincidence quickly felt like something more. A week later, we both found ourselves invited to watch a friend’s play, followed by a birthday dinner. That night, something clicked, and from that moment on, we never stopped talking. What began as a hesitant decision and a chance encounter turned into a love story we’ll be telling for the rest of our lives.