We’re so happy you’re here!

For many, August 29, 2016, was a day of firsts at Pasadena City College. For James, it was his first day back at school after deciding to switch out his major--which was a pretty big and uncomfortable change for him. For Sharon, that day was not only the first in which she'd use her given name rather than her nickname, Sherry, it was also her very first day of college. Before either had met the other, both had looked to Ceramics 38A--an art lab each had taken at their respective high schools--hoping it would feel like a familiar anchor in a sea of anxious change. James and Sharon met right away in that ceramics lab, after being sorted into a group for an introductory class scavenger hunt. They hit it off immediately. James was attracted to Sharon's new student enthusiasm, and Sharon loved James' twisted sense of humor, which matched her own so closely. Both were so happy to have made a solid friend so fast, and the two quickly bonded over coffee and sarcasm, snark and coffee. Neither had ever met anyone quite like the other, and yet, they felt perfectly at ease together, as though they were already old friends, complete with inside jokes and favorite haunts. As that first ceramics class wound down, they looked for more classes to take together, and when those classes ended, James said to Sharon, "You know? PCC is a commuter school, and making a real connection here is rare. We are rare. Let's not lose our relationship, okay?" Sharon agreed because, of course, the haven each of them had looked for in Ceramics 38A, they'd found in each other. And so, the rest is history... almost. A lot has been said about love at first sight, to the point where the concept has become a cliche; a romantic weed found thriving ever hopefully on the Hallmark Channel. But while James and Sharon had started a foundation of love for one another on that very first summer day they met, they'd shaped and sculpted their relationship over time, centering it on trust, mutual respect and a deep caring for one another that grew far beyond reliance on a single sense. For Sharon, there's never been anyone like James in her life; he's been her person like no one else could ever have been. For James, there's never been enough time with Sharon; it's been she of whom he's left always wanting more. It would take a very innocent dream for Sharon and James to finally see in each other what had been so screamingly, almost painfully obvious to quite literally, EVERYONE who knew them, but when they did take that first step and look into one another's face at long last (there were Covid masks involved; it's a whole Reddit post) and share that first kiss? Well, then it can truly and rightly be said--at long last--that the rest is not only history, but the future, as well. And it's a future of firsts that they'll share side by side.