Jack: Zoe and I first met in high school. I was a year ahead of her, but we hung out in similar social circles. Zoe: We would see each other a lot with our mutual friends, and when we would go to shows at the Gilman, "Burnt Ramen," or Hazmat. Jack: In November 2016, the middle of my second to last semester of college, we reconnected through Snapchat. Zoe: At the time he was living in Sacramento, attending Sac State. I had just moved down to San Leandro. We reconnected on Snapchat just talking about random things, and we both admitted we had a thing for each other. Jack: I couldn’t believe it the first time she asked to spend a weekend with me, even less so the times she would surprise visit. Even back then I knew I had found someone special because every time she visited; it felt like the sun bursting through the clouds after a heavy rain. Zoe: At his aunt Celia's annual St. Patrick's day party, I was introduced to his family as his girlfriend. Jack: I remember our relationship being one of the major factors I considered when making my post-graduation life choices. She was living in San Leandro and moving there made seeing each other more often a lot easier. As we continued to date, that feeling of having found someone special was compounded though hearing basically everyone she knew talk about how amazing she is. It also helped that she had the cutest little dog, Pancake. I realized I was in love with Zoe a couple weeks before we said it out loud to each other. I started catching myself thinking about what kind of future I wanted to have and always saw her as a part of that. She also became someone who I was always thinking about and wanted to share things with. Most things we talked about and did seemed really easy and comfortable, even when they were hard. I found myself wanting to do anything and everything I could to make her happy. She was also someone who I could be my authentic self around without feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable. Zoe: For a while I had my guard up and fought the feelings. I heavily related to Meg from Hercules in her song “Won’t Say,” which I heard all the tim, since I was working at Sweet Dreams. But he melted my heart. He is so caring and supportive. He is my best friend. When he would stay over I would tell him I love him while he was sleeping. The love was filling me up inside, and it was too much to bottle up. It was physically painful sometimes not saying it! April 9th 2018, after months of waiting, trying not to say it first for arbitrary reasons, I invited him over, gave him a chocolate chip cookie, and told him I love him. I wish Jack could see himself through my eyes. I admire his passion for music, and I love how cute he is with the dogs. I love how much we love each other and are willing to do the work to ensure we communicate effectively, and argue constructively. I trust and respect him, and value his opinions and the perspective he has to offer. He has changed my mind on many things, and it helps me to be a less neurotic, and overall better person. I cherish him and all he has to offer to the world. Jack: I’m in love with all her cute little mannerisms, those big, deep, brown eyes, and all the funny faces she makes when we’re being cute or flirting. I love how excited she gets when she’s giving gifts to the people she loves. I love how much she has pushed me to grow and experience things that I’d otherwise avoid or be uncomfortable with. I love how she’s someone I can come to with my struggles/problems and either help find solutions, or just be an ear to vent to. Through everything we’ve been together, she’s always been that same ray of sunshine that burst back into my life all those years ago