We met while we were both working at The Phoenix Theatre Company. Later we realized that there were many missed connections in our past. The Phoenix metro is an oddly small world. We both did theatre in the West Valley in the 2010s (and have several friends in common), in college Eric met old friends of Alyssa's from Payson, and we both briefly worked at the Arizona Science Center, but a year apart. Probably the funniest thing we have is common is our birthday, April 6th! It took about a year of working together before we really noticed each other. Slowly over time we learned more and more about one another, until finally at the company Christmas party in 2022 sparks flew. We ended up on the patio of the party host's home sitting there with Santa and Mrs. Claus having a great time until we were the last ones at the party and the host politely asked us to leave. Eric drove Alyssa home for the first time that night. It wasn't until February 2023 that our relationship truly began. But not without a small hiccup. We went to lunch together, just us, but we hadn't established that it was a date. Though we both kind of felt like it was. Until, when we were walking back to work, Eric said "I wish I could do stuff like this more often!" and Alyssa said, "I know, right? Yay friendship!" And thus, Alyssa had accidentally friendzoned Eric, and didn't realize until a few hours later. Alyssa acted quickly, determined to fix her mistake, and invited Eric to a drag show that weekend. They went to Cornish Pasty downtown afterward and on the walk back to the car Alyssa asked, "What if I told you I have a crush on you?" and Eric replied, "What if I said the feeling is mutual?" It didn't take long for us to realize that we are deeply compatible. Each passing day revealed that life was better when we were together. Over the past two and a half years we've had wonderful times and we've also dealt with difficult life challenges. No matter what, we've always found a way to make each other laugh. And isn't that what life is about?