You could probably say that this story *technically* started back when Sara was in the 8th grade. She had a wonderful English teacher whom she adored and kept in touch with, even after college. In the years after Sara graduated and moved home, this teacher would periodically inquire about whether Sara was seeing anyone and, would claim that she "had the PERFECT guy" for her. Of course this guy was Chris, who on his days off from the Maui News would work with this teacher and her digital journalism students. He too was periodically told that she "had the PERFECT girl" for him, but the two never did meet.

Finally, in May 2014, this teacher decided to take matters into her own hands. Unbeknownst to Chris and Sara, she invited both of them to an end-of-year banquet and sat them on the same table. (In the interest of full disclosure, there was also *another* potential suitor seated at the same table, right next to Chris.) Depending on who you ask, Sara will tell you that Chris ignored her the whole night, and Chris will tell you that he was working on a news story, so he didn't get a chance to say anything to her. (Chris will also claim that Sara "put her handbag on the chair next to her," in an attempt to discourage him from approaching her.) Regardless of who you believe, the end result of that night was the same: no connection was made, and the English teacher's efforts seemed to be for naught.

Six months later, in January 2015, Sara decided to start attending fitness classes at the local college gym. She showed up on the first day to check out a specific class, only to find out that it had been canceled. Bummed, and slightly annoyed, she decided she might as well stay for whatever class that was scheduled in its place. Ten minutes into it, a guy comes running in late. Sara secretly judged him in her head, but didn't pay him any mind. However Chris was the guy who was late, and he immediately recognized Sara when he ran in. Throughout the class, Chris went through the motions, and endless squats, but was mentally planning how he was finally going to approach her. After the class was over, Chris ran out to his car to grab his change of clothes and loitered by the gym door, intending to open it for Sara when she came out. When she did, he opened the door and said, "Heeeey. You're Sara, right? Jon's sister?" And the rest, is history.