We met on August 28th, 2015 at A.T. Still University for a new student orientation for physical therapy and occupational therapy. The orientation included close to 150 health professionals and all seats were labeled alphabetically according to last name. Our last names, von Schottenstein and Wall, were placed right next to each other. Our first encounter was one we would never forget...

It feels like yesterday I loaded my truck on an 18 wheeler, bought a flight from Florida to Arizona and left the place I called home for 25+ years to pursue my DPT. The official start of my program required a new student orientation and on this day, I arrived early to find my seat and noticed all last names were arranged alphabetically. I took my seat, looked to my left and saw I was sitting next to an occupational therapy student with a last name that must have been 20 letters long. As the classroom began to fill, I heard laughing behind me as 3 women walked down the center isle to take their seats. One of the women within that group instantly had my attention and immediately caused my pulse to race as she was by far the most attractive woman I have ever seen. As we made eye contact, she sat down to my left and introduced herself. Besides her stunning looks, I knew Haley was someone special and that she was someone I wanted to get to know based on our quick conversation prior to orientation. I felt extremely nervous and shy as we spoke and did my best to carry a charming conversation. I had difficulty paying attention to any of my orientation material because my thoughts were consumed by how lucky I was to have been placed alphabetically with the most easy going, down to earth, stunning woman I have ever been around. There were several breaks throughout orientation and as Haley and I talked, she seemed very interested in the path my life had to take in order to sit next to her on that very day. From our conversation, I knew there was a spark lit between us and felt an incredible energy that is still present today. As orientation came to an end, I was very excited for my career to begin, but even more excited to have met the woman of my dreams. I believe some things are meant to be and meeting Haley that day felt effortless. Within a few interactions at school and hanging out together through our first Fall semester, I knew Haley was my future wife.

Reaching to pull my chair back at my assigned spot, I snuck a glance at the student seated right next to me: a bald, bearded man with an intimidating look on his face. I introduced myself, shook his hand with my sweaty palm, and sat down. It wasn't hard to strike up a conversation with Rob. Throughout the entire orientation we talked like we had known each other for years. He impressed me with everything he had gone through in order to get into that exact seat. He told me how many disciplines he shadowed to find his true passion, his trials and tribulations with baseball, his love for his family, and how difficult it was to leave the state he had lived in for so long. Listening to all of his stories, it didn't take long for me to determine he was by far one of the most intelligent, compassionate, motivated, and handsome people I had ever met. Although the conversation had been going so well, I still had one question in my head: why is he so serious?. l later found out how sick he was that day (Rob, I am sorry I was quick to judge, but I know now that you have the best sense of humor out of anyone I know). I am so happy the grad school orientation seating chart brought us together, and even more happy to say that bald and bearded man is mine forever.