An anonymous unmarked door led Matt down a long dimly lit hallway, where a beam of light illuminated a disco ball pirouetting at the heart of a vibrant restaurant. It was the kind of place where everything moved in sync with the music—people, smiles, food to plate, drinks to glass. The kaleidoscope of luminescence weaved a stardust tapestry across the room, revealing Syd, the small girl with big glasses. "That's Syd, the girl I want you to meet" Mutual friends had been not so subtly encouraging Syd and Matt to meet and there she was pouring herself a gin based cocktail with a ladle from a porcelain punch bowl. The spark of attraction, a current, both gentle and fierce, surged as if the universe itself had conspired to align Matt with Syd. To their delight, they discovered a multitude of shared interests: their favorite book was The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, they both graduated from Emory, but never overlapped because of their 4 year age gap, and they both cherished the music of the 1970s and early 1980s—Bee Gees, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and Queen, although she favored Elton John while he leaned Billy Joel. While Syd thrived on logic, structure, and meticulous advanced planning, Matt embraced spontaneity, following his heart, and living entire lifetimes in a single night. Yet, their alignments met seamlessly, opposites attracting like Yin and Yang. After their first encounter, time pulled them apart momentarily. Syd graduated from Emory and enrolled in her pursuit of a Masters Degree at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, while Matt delved deeper into his career as one of the youngest network Film/TV Director’s of Photography in New York City. However, the universe conspired once again when Matt received an assignment in Greece at the same time Syd embarked on her graduation trip with over 10 of her girlfriends. Amidst shared adventures like jumping off a yacht, swimming to a small island, dancing on tables, driving ATV's along the coastline, and savoring Mediterranean dinners, their friendship flourished. Time would once again play it's role as Matt transitioned into the music industry, which led him to Nashville, Los Angeles, living hotel to hotel, and tour bus to tour bus across multiple national tours and a world tour. Meanwhile, whenever he returned to NYC, he tried to see Syd— working out of the Ludlow House, seeing each other at mutual friend events, and even braved a Yankee game (despite Matt being a Mets fan). Although Syd longed for stability and Matt knew his nomadic lifestyle hindered their friendship from blossoming into a relationship, their connection remained intact. Then came 2020. Now Syd and Matt couldn't suggest that the universe conspired their reunion through such global turmoil, but amidst the pain and uncertainty of the covid-19 pandemic, there was a silver lining for them. They found themselves in the same city, Matt’s nomadic lifestyle in Film/TV/Music grounded with a stable career change, Syd now in Law School, and thus, an ignition of the pilot light beneath their friendship. A flame that would fuel a life that Syd and Matt cherish and love together, eagerly anticipating the joy of sharing their love with everyone at their wedding. “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” - The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho