Mel: After weeks of exchanging smiles with Tanner, I finally mustered the courage to initiate a conversation. Our chance encounter took place at the gym, a place we both frequented for years. Tanner always teases that I "tricked" him into dating me by promptly leaving for nursing school after our initial meeting. Yet, despite the distance, we defied the odds, maintaining our bond through nightly FaceTime calls and monthly visits. Nearly two years later, we were reunited in the same zip code. From then on, we prioritized our relationship, nurturing our love every step of the way. Before we knew it, we welcomed our beloved fur baby into our lives, and the rest is history! Tanner: Returning from Disneyland, I opted for a post-flight workout at the gym. Little did I know, this routine visit would lead to an unexpected encounter. A striking, sweaty figure approached me, initiating a conversation that would change the course of my life. Why she chose to talk to me remains a delightful mystery. But in that moment, fate intervened, setting the stage for a transformative journey. Today, I stand beside my life partner, grateful for the serendipity that brought us together.