We met the way so many good stories begin—by chance, in a loud room, surrounded by friends. It was a rugby social at Harry’s, the kind of night where you don’t expect anything more than a drink and a few laughs. But somewhere between the noise and the crowd, we found each other, and something quietly shifted. A couple nights later, we were supposed to meet friends to play pool. By some small twist of fate, we were told to show up early—just the two of us. What started as filling time turned into hours of conversation. We talked and laughed with each other until the sun came up, and suddenly it was 6 a.m. Neither of us wanted the night to end, and in some unspoken way, we both knew it didn’t have to. Not long after, we went with friends to micro wrestling. Somewhere between the spectacle and the chaos, Ian turned the moment into what became our first real date later that week—effortless, intentional, and unmistakably us. From there, we became inseparable. Through trips to Illinois, Florida, and all across the Midwest for rugby, but no matter where we were, the best part was always being together. What began as a chance meeting turned into long talks, shared miles, and a partnership that felt natural from the very start. Somehow, the night we almost didn’t meet became the beginning of everything. And now, we’re choosing each other—forever.♥