You could say it all began on a night when any sensible soul would have stayed home. The rain poured down on San Jose like it meant to wash the whole city clean. But Anthony was sitting at the bar at the Farmer’s Union, waiting on Adri — a date they’d planned, not knowing it would be the start of something wonderful. They sat together and shared a Blind Pig from Russian River Brewery. If you ask them, they’ll say it was the first of many small fortunes they’d stumble into together. Soon enough they tucked themselves into a curtained booth, settled in over fondue, calamari, and steaks, and set about the business of getting to know each other. Adri was a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist — the sort who listens well and laughs easy. Anthony fiddled with tech for a living — the sort who talks fast and smiles even faster. Two worlds, mighty different, but they got along just fine over good beer and good company. He thought she was all light and warmth, and that smile of hers made him feel lucky. She thought he had the kind of green eyes you don’t see every day and a grin that could talk her into anything. Something sparked that night, though neither one could tell you just what it was — only that it was there. A few weeks later, when they both knew they liked each other, Adri admitted she’d almost considered skipping that first date because of the rain. But she was really glad she didn’t — and so was he. When the world shut its doors for COVID, they shut theirs too — together. Adri’s little studio apartment in Japantown turned into a fortress against the world. They filled it with music, Animal Crossing marathons, movies, and plenty of takeout meals. When they needed air, they headed for the hills — hiking, camping, wandering under the stars. A couple of lucky breaks still stand out — like the time they snagged a bottle of Pliny the Younger on the one day Russian River saw fit to sell it online. Or the day they found their dog Lola on Craigslist, of all places, and scooped her up on Anthony’s mom’s birthday. They had no plan, no leash, no bowls — but they took her to Petco and came out a family. Love snuck up quiet and simple. Anthony let it slip in the middle of a story one night, telling it plain as day in front of Adri’s friends. She had to stop him and ask him to say it again. He did. Folks cheered. It stuck. Now it’s just the three of them — Adri, Anthony, and Lola — making a home out of wherever they are. They keep each other curious. They back each other’s wild ideas. They share good food and better adventures. And they’re mighty glad she didn’t stay home that rainy night in San Jose.