They met the classic 2022 way...online. Both were therapists at the same company, so even if sparks didn’t fly, they could at least bond over shared work chaos. Their first date was at a local gelato shop, Thomas’ go‑to move. Not because he’s fancy, but because gelato is cheap, quick, and offers an easy exit if things get awkward. Alyssa arrived with her usual charm: fiercely independent, emotionally cautious, and fully prepared to run if Thomas got too sweet. Things moved slowly. Thomas, the golden‑retriever romantic, kept trying to win over Alyssa, who reacted to affection like a cat being offered a bath. But on September 11, 2022, he finally asked, “Do you want to be my girlfriend?” Alyssa responded with peak enthusiasm: “That’s fine.” Three years later, they’ve mastered laughing through life and building a cozy home filled with furry and scaly creatures. They’ve traveled across states, countries, and time zones. Collecting passport stamps, inside jokes, and a shared love of mozzarella sticks. From sunburns in Costa Rica, to Thomas flexing his Duolingo skills in Guatemala, to wandering Malta in search of the perfect pastizzi, they’ve turned that first cautious gelato date into a life full of laughter, loyalty, and just the right amount of weird.