Aly and Omar met at a bar – they chatted briefly over White Claws, but the environment wasn’t really conducive to conversation, and Aly, a natural homebody, eventually called it an early night. Still, as soon as she left, Omar turned to her best friend and asked, “How do I make this happen?” Back then, Omar had grown quite accustomed to being a bachelor. He wasn’t against dating, but he wasn’t wasting his time on just anyone – there had to be lightning (that’s another story). And while he’d barely spoken to Aly, he knew something was there. On the other hand, Aly was stuck in a cycle of bad dates, actively looking for Mr. Right. But Omar was a big-city pretty boy (read: grown man ten years her senior) and far from the “Pensacola guy” she was used to, so she turned him down. Thus ensued a test of Omar’s persistence: Months of platonic movie going and dog walking (yep, he got a dog to spend more time with her). And while it was fun, a man can only take so much before he snaps. One night, again while out with friends, Omar decided he’d had enough. Let’s just say, “This guy, really?!” was uttered as Aly was mid-flirt and an unpleasant exchange followed. Then, after three days of not talking – a lifetime for them – they had a come-to-Jesus. Aly, who’d been doing some serious introspection, presented him with options. 1) They could try their best to be just friends. 2) They could never speak to each other again. 3) They could go on a date. You can probably guess which one he picked. Three years and countless dates later, Aly will tell you, a big smile on her face, that Omar is the best thing to ever happen to her; the greatest, most exciting love she’ll ever know. He wasn’t her type at first – but it turns out he’s better. They’re meant to be together, compatible in so many ways (like their unique brand of weirdness), but still individuals, with their own thoughts, opinions, and dreams, which they’ll surely accomplish hand-in-hand.