One day outside the college cafeteria Paulo's sister Vale, introduced him to Jordan. He was smitten. Paulo asked her to a college dance event. They had fun that night, but for whatever reason nothing progressed romantically and they both remained in each others ‘friend zone’.

During these years a genuine friendship emerged between Jordan and Paulo. Jordan graduated from college in 2011 and moved back to Texas from Oklahoma to advance her career in Nursing. Paulo, finished graduate business school in 2015 and in later years found a love for graphic design while living in DC. Although separated by physical distance, they both made time to stay connected though periodic visits, sharing podcasts and their favorite songs, and generally supporting each other in life and being there for each other’s families.

Jordan moved to Tacoma from Dallas in March 2019 for a new job, Paulos life was also rerouted later that year to start a Master’s program in Tacoma. Being in the same city was a Godsend, and it allowed them to pause and see things between them that they had never realized but were always there. Let’s just say, that the mutual fondness was real. As they spent more time together, they recognized shared goals, shared creative pursuits, a mutual passion for life and new experiences, and a desire to live generously with others. They often point this as the time they met each other again.

During COVID life changed for us all in so many ways. Nevertheless, Paulo proposed, and Jordan said a resounding "yes"! And here we are today folks.