October 30th, 2021, holds a special place in our hearts – that's the night I (Alexa) met the love of my life, Tyler! It was my 21st birthday, and Halloween weekend added a touch of whimsy to the air. Dressed as a witch (complete with a slightly oversized hat that kept threatening to topple over), I was ready to celebrate with my closest college friends. Our bar crawl through Wilkes-Barre was a classic night out, hitting all the familiar spots: Beer Boys, Vesuvio's, and finally, Senuna's.

Getting into Senuna's proved a little tricky at first. After an initial rejection and a few friends calling it a night, a determined group of us decided to give it another shot. Maybe it was the Halloween spirit, or maybe it was just sheer birthday determination, but the second time was the charm! Inside the bustling bar, the music thrummed and the crowd buzzed with conversation. It was there, through a serendipitous introduction from a college ice hockey teammate, that I met Tyler, a friend of her boyfriend's.

Now, let's just say my initial drink choice wasn't exactly a recipe for a magical night. Tyler, perceptive and kind (qualities I'd come to cherish deeply), noticed my distaste for the questionable concoction and, like a knight in shining armor (but with a beer in hand!), came to my rescue. We started talking, and soon the conversation flowed effortlessly. The crowded bar seemed to fade away, replaced by a bubble of laughter and easy connection. Looking back, the details of that night are a little fuzzy (it was a birthday celebration, after all!), but what stands out most is the instant comfort and spark I felt with Tyler.

The night took an unexpected turn when we decided to duck out for a quick bathroom break at my apartment (originally just a pit stop before rejoining the group). One thing led to another, and we ended up ditching our separate plans and creating our own adventure. After a brief escapade out with some other friends, we made it back to my empty apartment where we talked for hours. Eventually, after hours of good conversation and belly-aching laughter, sleep claimed us. Different than any other night, it was the start of something real, something special. October 30th began as a birthday celebration, but it blossomed into the beginning of our love story. And now, here we are, getting ready to celebrate our love with all of you!