From my perspective, the story of Tristan and Zaire is a Rom-Com. There was always an unspoken chemistry between the two, and I do mean unspoken. Nothing was said to anyone about anything.  There was just a series of “What’s up with them two” thoughts! The first was at an art show where they stood off and shared a few words, so few that even Zaire and Tristan don’t remember what was said. I remember because her conversation with Tristan was the longest she talked to anyone outside me that night.  The subsequent odd encounter was at the end of the table while at a terrible restaurant. While I remained inconsolable because the food was awful, they bonded over what I assume to be Japanese street dance music. Finally, we reached the “cannon event,”… the moment interest needed to be acknowledged. Zaire and Tristan’s conversation changed from what one would call high-level small talk to a discussion of insecurities. While doing my best to hold a conversation and eavesdrop, I couldn’t but wonder, “Are they confiding in each other? Weird!” The next day, Zaire came to my house for a walk around the park and was in a state—which honestly isn’t noteworthy because she stays in a state. Finally, she bursts out and tells me that she likes Tristan. I giggle and say, “Yeah, I know. I think he likes you too.”  ***Let the record show my theory was wrong. Tristan was not interested. He didn’t even know it was an option*** While walking around the park, she admits she’s worried because she made a list of things she wanted, and he didn’t pass. It turns out it was because she didn’t know him. Some of the qualities she wasn’t sure of, so she just marked him as not having. I told her I didn’t think it was fair to assume he didn’t have something just because she hadn’t seen it.  Where did she go from here? This is the part of the story we call the Return Visit. After much deliberation, we decided that she would make the first move, and she was ready and willing. She called Tristan that next evening, and he answered a little confused, and rightly so. They had a short yet clearly memorable conversation. At the end of the conversation, she asked him if he preferred phone calls over text messages. He said he preferred calls. She asked if she could call him around 7:30 the following evening, and he said she could.  That next day, she got a text from him a little early, just confirming the call for that day. Eventually, he decided to “study the Bible,” a.k.a. pursue a relationship!  Their courtship was nothing short of a Spanish Novela. They were and still are easy on the eyes and heart. Tristan and Zaire were a quiet couple at the start, but their connection was usually the loudest in the room. They always knew where each other was at events and would find each other throughout the night. I would compare them to an AirFryer. It doesn’t make much noise, but the heat could turn a juicy piece of chicken into a potato chip. In short, they were in love with each other, and we were in love with them. Then again, who doesn’t love a good AirFryer?  I am a firm believer that all good things don’t need to end. However, for a brief time, this one did.  Then came the Great Depression, a time of hunger and illness. Yes, you guessed it right: The Breakup. It was a moment of growth and pursuing separate goals. She went to India, and he went to Guyana to serve. After a year of no relationship, Tristan asked Zaire if they could talk the day he returned from Guyana. He wanted to get back together, and so did she. And get back together they did!  Something was different this time, a big difference! They both emanated an air of maturity and quiet confidence. They knew what they wanted, and it was each other.  After nine months of dating, Tristan asked her to be his wife, and she said yes! On May 10th, they take a beautiful step in what has always been a beautiful love story!  -Told by Her Bestie