MIA'S POV "Do you want fruit snacks?" Troy asked.... In May 2023, we met on the beach. Well, we always knew of each other, but never spoke. He talked about his knee surgery and therapy. "Therapy??" I asked "Physical therapy," he clarified. We did not talk much at the beach. However, he showed me his true character when I thought I had lost my mother's ring, and he searched for it thoroughly in the sand for a long time. Over time, we hung out in a group, we were friends, we were in group chats, we laughed and joked. I never thought of us as anything but friends. He was a good friend. He made sure I got home safe, made sure I was okay, paid for food, and my drinks. He won my heart by being kind. He won my heart by being emotionally available. He won my heart by making me laugh and being dependable. And I started to look at him differently. October 2023, he asked me to be his date to the October Elegance formal. He made me feel safe, he did not judge, and he listened. A true Gentleman who still opens my door till this day… who I thought did not exist. I got to know him. I learned that he was a good son, grandson, and so I thought he'd be a good husband. He won my heart. And the rest is history! TROY'S POV She pulled into the parking lot with the window down. I saw her and said with clarity, “That will be Mrs Rountree.” I got out of the car and offered her a fruit snack: " Take one, one, two, or three.” She lost her Mother's ring in the sand and thought it was up to me, but to no prevail! But she thanked us and gave a warm hug, and I became frail. We went out to dinner and got her number, but it was the last time I saw her until another beach day. I was so surprised that I was able to see her again, and talked to her cousin to see if there was a way to get in. Then I saw her at a wonderful costume party, but alas, I was not a part of her story. One fateful target trip, though everything changed, got her a nice coffee, and bookmark things started to change. She eventually became a formal date, and since then, there will be ups and downs, but nobody said love was a piece of cake. But when it comes to Mia, this is gonna be one of my greatest takes, she’s worth it all, she’s #1 ranked ❤️