Rachel's Version: In July of 2023 we met through the dating app: Hinge. I was instantly drawn to Steve's profile because he had a cat, pictures in the mountains, and he mentioned the importance of self-growth. All green flags. After messaging for a couple days we both agreed we'd prefer to have a facetime date. I told him I was leaving on a 3-week trip to Lithuania and Scotland in a couple weeks and the only time we could both meet was the morning of July 23rd, the day I was leaving. He was a couple minutes late and when he arrived, I told him that I'd thought he stood me up. He laughed and said, "No, that's not something I would do. I'm late because it's my birthday today and I was up late last night with friends". I was shocked. “Wait, it’s your birthday today?!” I was floored that he wanted to meet me enough to schedule a date on his birthday. We only had about an hour to chat, but we talked about everything--from our Harry Potter houses (we're both Gryffindors, of course), to our favorite hikes, to our mutual obsession with cats, to how we both treat and think about trauma in our careers as a physical therapist and psychotherapist. At the end of the date he asked if he could text me while I was away and if we could go on an in-person date when I got back. I loved how straightforward and intentional he was from day one...I excitedly said yes. I got off the call and sat there in shock for a few minutes. He was basically exactly what I had been looking for. My roommate asked me how the date went and I said, "ummm. Really great. We talked about everything and I felt so safe and comfortable with him. We seem really compatible. It sounds crazy to say, but I actually think I could end up marrying him. Not like I’m planning on it or anything. But, I just have a feeling he could be it.” And the rest is history. Steve's version: The words that come to mind when I reflect on mine and Rach's journey together are "safety" and "warmth." It's still the best of surprises that the woman I fell in love with could be such a departure from what I had known all my life. Where my personal history is marked by intensity, achievement, productivity, and discipline, her steady embodiment of presence, intentionality, gratitude, and play are a way of being I'm constantly in awe of having found in a person. The moment I met her I could feel this about her. From the first time we sat under the tree at Green Lake talking of cats, family, and personal red flags, to our first trip to Rach's childhood home for Christmas, to our hike into the mountains so I could ask her to marry me, my love for her and the depth of these qualities only ever seem to grow. I'm excited to write the next chapters of this story with her.