Our story technically began in the halls of Grafflin Elementary School — where young Joe first laid eyes on the new girl, Zoé Calhoun. Even at age eight, Joe knew two things: 1. Zoé was way out of his league. 2. He was going to try anyway. He attended her sixth-grade birthday party. He admired from afar. He attempted charm. And Zoé… politely friend-zoned him. For years, they remained friends — growing up in the same town, sharing classrooms, inside jokes, and the kind of history only childhood can create. Through middle school and high school, Joe carried a quiet crush. After graduating in 2016, life took them in different directions. Different colleges. Different cities. Different paths. Zoé went on to become a French teacher. Joe went on to work at Freddie Mac. One chose a life of culture, language, and shaping young minds. The other chose spreadsheets. Then came November 26, 2021 — the five-year high school reunion. As the former school president, Joe felt it was only fitting that he organize the reunion himself. After all, what’s the point of student government if you can’t use it for a well-timed romantic comeback? At some point between nostalgia and questionable decisions, Joe confessed that he had always had a crush on Zoé. Zoé admitted she had a crush on him back then too. Unfortunately, Joe had already recruited his friend Graham to “confirm” this lifelong crush. When asked for backup, Graham said: “I don’t remember you saying that… but I had a crush on you, Zoé.” Zoé replied, “No way — I had a crush on you too!” Not at Joe. At Graham. In that moment, Joe hit rock bottom. Miraculously — and with zero remaining dignity — he recovered. As the reunion was ending, Joe asked Zoé out to breakfast the next day at Beehive in Armonk, NY. A bold move considering he was returning to Washington, D.C. that very day while Zoé was living in New York. What started as breakfast turned into FaceTimes, train rides, weekend trips, and a year and a half of long distance. Love — as it turns out — is stronger than geography. Eventually, they closed the distance and moved into an apartment together in White Plains. They now share a home, a life, big dreams, and plans for multiple children and an unreasonable number of puppies. Law school has temporarily reintroduced a bit of distance into their lives — but after elementary school crushes, missed timing, cross-state love, and Graham’s betrayal, they know one thing for certain: They were always meant to find their way back to each other. And this time, they’re not letting go.