Chad and Paula met on January 2nd, 2021—thanks to a canceled plan, a random bar, and a little bit of luck. Chad had originally been planning to attend his best friend’s wedding in Ohio, but like so many things that year, it was postponed due to COVID—leaving him suddenly without New Year’s plans. Not one to sit around, he and his other best friend, Luke, pivoted and booked a trip to Fort Lauderdale to ring in the New Year. Paula, a South Florida local, was out that night for a low-key evening with two of her best friends. After dinner, they decided on one last drink before heading home. Naturally, Paula chose what looked like the emptiest bar in all of Fort Lauderdale—tucked away from the crowds, quiet, and nearly deserted. There were exactly four people inside… including the two bartenders. As the girls finished what they were certain would be their last drink, in walked two giddy men who had just gotten matching tattoos next door. Paula noticed Chad immediately—he was hard to miss—but she wasn’t exactly in the mood to engage. However, just as they were about to ask for the check, Chad walked over while FaceTiming his sister, who had just had a baby. Like a proud uncle, he eagerly showed off his newborn niece. Paula (thinking this man had just used his baby niece as a pickup line) was not impressed. She even told him so. His sister laughed from the other end of the phone, while Chad, insisted that was not the case and proceeded to show the rest of the bar (all 4 others) his niece. The guys offered to buy another round, and as it turns out, the girls stayed. At first, Paula kept her guard up and was even snappy at times—but thanks to a little encouragement from her friends, she eventually gave in to the moment. What followed was effortless banter, a few more drinks, and the kind of chemistry you can’t fake. Then came the dare: kiss (thanks Mel!) They didn’t hesitate. Chad quite literally swept Paula off her feet (if you know, you know)—and said the words that would echo far beyond that night: “I’ll never let you down.” It may have been said jokingly in the moment, but sometimes the best promises are the ones you don’t realize you’re making. Chad was leaving town early the next morning, so before the night ended, he asked for Paula’s number, hoping to stay in touch. Paula gave it to him, fully expecting she’d never hear from him again. That’s when Chad proposed something that any romance novel aficionado would deem as fate: a pact. If, in five years, neither of them was married… they would marry each other. HA! Talk about foreshadowing. (God definitely has a sense of humor.) He even went as far as setting a yearly reminder in both of their calendars. Despite having a few obstacles along the way, fast forward exactly five years, and here we all are, getting ready to celebrate that very pact!