Laila: When we met, I was looking for someone to practice English with, and he was looking for someone to teach him Portuguese — after all, in a few months, he was heading to Brazil. Little did we know, we were about to embark on an adventure far greater than any language exchange. Armonti: Honestly, all I wanted was to learn how to say “Por favor” properly and figure out what this “pão de queijo” was all about. But then this Brazilian showed up with a cute accent and a smile that completely messed up my priorities. Laila: On that day, I almost gave up on leaving the house. I was nervous, trembling… it felt crazy to meet someone I had only known online. But something pushed me out of bed at 3 PM, and there I was, late and hoping he was still waiting. And he was. With a shy smile, eyes fixed on me — the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. And a hint of macadamia scent. How did he know it was my favorite smell? Armonti: I’ll admit, I was nervous too. I sprayed cologne twice, changed my shirt three times... And when I saw her coming, I knew it was trouble — but the good kind. We met up, and the plan was to talk for a bit. What happened? We talked in the car, then at a Mexican party, then at a Halloween party… basically, it was like three dates in one, and I was already wondering when the fourth one would be. Laila: And even when the new year came, and we had our first serious fight, something inside me told me: he needs to stay in my life. I asked him to promise he’d visit me in Chicago. And even though he didn’t have plans, he came. He came because we both knew — even without saying it — that it was love. Armonti: Look, I’m stubborn, but not stupid. She asked me to visit her in Chicago, and I went — and I’m definitely more of a hot weather guy. But I braved all that cold just to see her smile. Totally worth every shiver. The truth is, I was already in love and trying not to look too desperate... (didn’t work). Laila: Lying next to him, thinking about the letter he wrote me, all the things he said he loved about me — including my chaotic ways and my addiction to garlic bread — I realized: I loved this man. And in the middle of that comfortable silence, he said he loved me too. And look… with only one working ear, I can assure you: that was the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard in my life! (Yes, folks, I’m hearing impaired. So if I didn’t respond when you called me, it’s not bad manners — it’s just the bluetooth on the other ear not connecting.) Both: Since that day, October 8th, 2023, we’ve fallen in love with each other a little more every day. And even though we don’t know where this story will take us, we know one thing for sure: if it’s forever, even better. Because life with love (and garlic bread) is so much sweeter.