It was the middle of 2020 and both Alex and I were beginning to rejoin the rest of society after everyone had spent months isolating to prevent the spread of the COVID pandemic! We both had decided to take a chance on the dating apps, and luckily we both swiped right to match! Our first conversation was initiated by me (Zoee) which was a simple "Hi! :)" that was quickly followed by Alex asking me on a date to the movie theater! The best part is that the movie theaters were barely starting to open up and there were absolutely no good movies playing! Alex and I both showed up, sat through the movie "Unhinged" together in silence eating popcorn, and walked back out as we agreed the movie was awful! Luckily Alex worked up the courage to ask me to continue to talk and walk around the Truckee River near the movie theater. As we talked, we realized how many similarities we had and talked for two hours before realizing we probably should call it a night. As soon as I returned home, Alex had already messaged me asking me on a second date! I knew he was someone special when he also admitted to me he hadn't eaten dinner before our date and was starving so he made himself a quesadilla, which I also was guilty of and was eating a hamburger as we continued to text after our first date!

Since that first date at the movie theater and walking around the Truckee river, our relationship has only continued to blossom. We have supported each other through some of life's hardest lessons including the passing of my mother, celebrated some of life's best moments including me getting accepted to medical school and alex graduating with his MBA, and entered another stage of life as we became dog parents to our goldendoodle Rosie!