Jake’s super-like on Tinder started it all. My bio said, “No pets” (thanks to my troublemaking dogs), while his was full of pet photos. Despite the mismatch, he kept asking me out. As we got to know each other, we realized our paths had nearly crossed for years—he worked at an H&M across from a hotel where I hosted a store launch, and he lived in my old apartment complex. In November 2020, with COVID restrictions looming, Jake made one last attempt: “Let me take you out while we still can.” This time, I said yes. Our first date at a hibachi restaurant sealed our connection. Years later, we share a home, three aging dogs, and a life that feels truly ours. We’ve traveled from Ireland to NYC, bonded over our love for The 1975, and supported each other through career moves—even when it meant living apart, with me in California and him in Michigan. Through it all, Jake has been my biggest supporter, always encouraging me to chase my dreams. No matter what changes, he remains steady—my safe place in every storm. Jake is the partner I never knew I needed but can’t imagine life without. He makes every moment special, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

“The Red String Theory is a metaphor used in psychological contexts to describe the invisible bonds that connect people to each other. In East Asian legend, the Red Thread of Fate states that two people destined to be together are tied together by an invisible red string that can stretch and tangle but will never break, eventually leading the couple to each other.” I will come back to this theory in a second! Callie and I met like a lot of people do in the 21st century, online! We met during pretty much peak covid season, at a time where you couldn’t even go out to restaurants! We had been messaging each other back and forth for a little bit, before I finally mustered up the courage to ask her out during the like one-week period where you could go out to restaurants. I was not really looking for anything serious at the time, just kind of open to whatever but there was something about Callie that I just became so drawn too. Not only is she drop-dead gorgeous, but she is also incredibly smart, a pet lover, funny, adventurous, quick to laugh, and just overall a remarkable person. And once we started dating, that feeling of being drawn and just so connected to someone presented itself in some crazy ways. Back to that string theory! I will bring up a couple of wild coincidences that tie Callie and I together before we even knew each other. We have a dog named Tito (Mr. Big Boy if we’re being professional) who Callie has had since he was maybe a year old when she got him in 2017. But before Tito came into her arms, Tito had a previous owner who (unfortunately and very understandably) had to return him to the adoption center. Those previous owners? My Mom’s long-time boyfriend's family! The whole story of how we found this out is actually hilarious and a great story for a different time! The other crazy “tie” between us, when Callie and I met I was living in Ypsilanti in this regular but kind of large apartment complex. The first time Callie ever came to my apartment she says to me “I’m pretty sure my brother used to live in this building......I’m pretty sure my brother used to live in this exact apartment!” Not only that, but her dad also used to live in the apartment right across the hall in the same building! And we have several other little “ties” between us too. Callie and I, I think both found each other unexpectedly. But wasn’t unexpected was how quicky and how much we fell in love with each other. I don’t know if I’m much for the whole “soulmate” thing. But I will tell you what, I am 100% a believer in the Red String Theory!