Fall 2018: Isaac starts stopping into the restaurant/coffeeshop Amelia owned. He had a friend that worked there, and he liked the tea. Amelia was struck by how kind he was. Spring 2019: Isaac is moving back to town after a brief time living in Portland. He texts Amelia to ask if she's hiring at the restaurant, and coincidentally, she was!

Summer 2019: Amelia's mom, Kelly, passes away suddenly. Isaac attends the funeral and inexplicably seats himself not with his coworkers, but directly next to Amelia and her family. This was a little odd, definitely! But to him it seemed the only logical place to be. Summer 2020: With Covid in full swing, Amelia's restaurant closing, and finances tight, we became not just friends and people who had worked together, but roommates! Isaac moved into a spare room and the friendship shifted into an odd kind of chosen family. Neither of us were seeking a romantic connection, we just thought we were so lucky to have found such a good friend in the other. We imagined we might always be "weird best friends" who lived together. Road trips were taken, live music was seen, and every Sunday we would drive an hour to Little Rock and spend all day finding things to do. Isaac appreciated how Amelia helped him to let loose and have fun. We would often have lunch and afterwards take a long walk. We talked about the many views and feelings we share and explored (often passionately debating) the ways we see and feel things differently. Isaac was glad to have found a friend who is straightforward about where they stand in their worldview.

Summer 2022: We realize on Amelia's Birthday that there is definitely more than just a platonic friendship between us. We do our best to keep it casual and take things slow. It turns out, that's easier said than done when you've already been living together for years! Roughly six quick months later, we realize that our feelings were actually pretty serious. We wanted to build our lives side by side. And not just as weird best friends. January 2024: After months of planning and saving, we moved into the tiny house we created together and have been sharing 240 square feet ever since. (and we still like each other!) August 2025: Isaac proposed! We have several big things on the horizon- we are THRILLED to be getting married in May, and just a few weeks later Isaac will be beginning an accelerated nursing program in Northwest Arkansas. The future feels so bright; and we can't wait to celebrate the start of this next chapter with the people we care about!