The day started as a scorcher. Fort Lauderdale in July feels like you are getting slapped in the face with a hot, wet blanket the moment you open your front door. The summer of 2023 was no different. CRISTER: I woke up feeling motivated. It was a non-workday. This meant it was a school day. I rallied after my shower and decided to go to a coffee shop to bang out whatever paper or project was due at that time for my Master of Public Health program. Something about that sharp, roasted scent of espresso is very energizing. Storks was jammed, so I crossed the street to Starbucks and staked out my spot at the end of the long wooden worktable. With my laptop, papers, and venti iced coffee, my first couple of hours were productive. BUT THEN: my cute dog daddy and his blonde doodle showed up. WESLEY: My trip to visit friends had been more exhausting than expected. I decided to return to Orlando early. Now, anyone who knows me KNOWS that coffee happens first in the morning. Hannah and I loaded up and went straight to Starbucks. Anyone who knows Hannah knows she will DRAG you down the street to any shop that offers goodies to dogs. For Starbucks, this means a pup cup. Making the decision to skip the drive-through, we walked through the sweltering parking lot while Hannah’s tail was already wagging in anticipation of her treat. I wasn't happy about the line when we walked in BUT there was also "the cute boy" working on his at the end of the table... C: ("Crister tries to not be distracted by the dog daddy and his adorable blonde goldendoodle when they walk in!") I was trying to remain focused, but my concentration was fraying. I watched the doggo focus on her a small cup of whipped cream while her dad waited at the counter for his order. BUT WAIT. He grabs his coffee and a trenta cup of water and sits at the table next to me. ("Crister tries to be a good student and avoid these distractions") The dog drains her water cup. The guy sips his coffee from only four feet away. I somehow manage to make some progress on my work. The dog keeps licking her empty cup. The dog daddy continues to serenely sip his drink. ("Crister tries to be a good student and avoid these distractions") W: I sat there, trying to look serene while Hannah turned her cup into a percussion instrument. She had finished her water and was now licking the plastic cup. Every lick scraped the cup, making it skid slightly and tap the table base. I caught the guy stealing glances at Hannah and me. When we caught each other looking over, I gave a half-smile. C: ("Crister tries to be a good student and avoid these distractions") I tried to focus on the screen, but the rhythmic scritch-scritch of the dog's tongue against her now-empty water cup and the noise it was making on the floor was impossible to ignore. My concentration shattered, I made my move: I decided to assist the thirsty pup and offered to refill her cup. Everyone who knows me knows that I drink copious amounts of water. I believe in hydration and usually have 1-2L of water in my backpack. Did you know that water really can change your life? It did for me THAT day! W: His voice was friendly. When he leaned over to pour the water for my Hannah, I knew he was a great guy. She didn't even wait for him to finish before she started lapping it up. We introduced ourselves. In that moment, the space had transformed from a Starbucks to something else. Crister told me about his own goldendoodle Oscar, his eyes lighting up as he pulled up and swiped through photos. C: For the next two hours, Wesley and I talked about all sorts of things while Hannah napped between us. The day had turned into the afternoon. He still had the long trek to Orlando ahead of him, and I still had that blinking cursor. We exchanged numbers, locking in the contacts, and walked each other out to our cars. ...THE END?!?! N O P E ! We FaceTimed later that evening! It was the first of many conversations that haven't stopped since.