The next chapter starts here

It all started with a graduation cookout. After earning her master’s degree, Amanda hosted a casual celebration at her house. A friend asked if she could bring someone visiting from out of town—Eric. Amanda said yes, and just like that, Eric ended up at the party, tossing bean bags in a game of cornhole, meeting Amanda’s cats, and chatting by the fire. When they left, Eric turned to their mutual friend and said, “I’m going to marry that girl someday.” The friend laughed and said, “No way.” For the next year, the two barely spoke, only occasionally seeing each other through blurry FaceTime cameos. Then one day, Amanda was visiting that same friend’s apartment—right as Eric was moving into the open bedroom there. She quietly confessed, “He’s so cute.” The very next day, the universe stepped in again. Amanda invited both the friend and Eric over to hang out on her deck. Amanda was on school vacation, the friend was working remotely, and Eric was doing schoolwork. Before they could even settle in, Amanda promptly asked Eric to help haul a heavy piece of glass out of the shed for the deck table. (He passed the test.) After some work and laughter, the group headed out for ice cream in Providence. Before parting ways, they made plans to hang out again the next night. That Friday, a group of five went downtown for drinks. Somewhere between beers and banter, Amanda and Eric found themselves deep in debate: iPhone vs. Android. Amanda was team iPhone, Eric firmly team Android. Amanda asked to see his phone—to “prove a point”—opened the messaging app, typed in her number, and sent a text that read: “I admit, iPhones are superior.” (Smooth move, right?) After the night out, they sat and talked for hours back at the apartment—sharing stories, dreams, and a glimpse of something special. That night was the real beginning of their love story.