Jumping right in—when the clock struck midnight and it officially became 2023, I felt this brand-new mindset wash over me. I was finally content in my singleness, really embracing where I was. I wasn’t worried about finding a boyfriend anymore; honestly, I wasn’t even looking. And in true New Year’s resolution fashion, I decided I was going to start going to the gym (just wait until you hear how long that lasted haha!).

Fast forward to Wednesday, January 3rd. I went to the gym that evening, hopped onto a treadmill, popped in my AirPods, and started warming up. As I was strolling along, I noticed someone get on the treadmill next to me. I glanced to my right and there was this guy—staring at me—with his phone turned in my direction, clearly showing me he wanted my number.

Confused but curious, I took one AirPod out. He asked if he could have my phone number. I said sure, and typed it into his phone. After that brief, slightly surreal exchange, I put my AirPod back in and wrapped up my workout. This was the last time I went to the gym for exactly 2 years (haha!).

At the time, I didn’t think much of the encounter. I didn’t want to get my hopes up; I didn’t even let myself entertain the idea of anything happening. So when I got a text the next evening that said, “Hey, this is Max from the gym,” it hit me that I didn’t even know his name until that moment.

He asked if I wanted to go out sometime, and I suggested we meet up to go ice skating. As I pulled into the parking lot that day, nerves suddenly kicked in—because honestly, I could barely remember what he looked like. I saw a crowd heading inside and used it as my chance to blend in while scanning the area. Sure enough, I spotted a guy outside checking his phone over and over. I walked right past him at first, trying to act casual, but something in me knew it was him. I turned around, walked up, and said, “Max?” He laughed and said, “Oh, you must have walked right past me.”

We went inside, got our skates, and stepped onto the ice. Important detail: I am terrible at ice skating. But I figured that meant plenty of opportunities for hand-holding—so maybe not the worst date idea. For two hours straight, I was fighting for my life to stay upright, but somehow I managed to engage in our conversation… and it was genuine and amazing.

When we finally got off the ice, they announced a hockey game was starting soon. Max asked if I wanted to stay and watch, and I instantly said yes. We spent the whole evening talking even more, feeling this strange, refreshing ease with each other. Before we knew it, it was 9 p.m. We said our goodbyes, and when I got into my car, I just sat there—so smitten.

Over the next week, we saw each other every single day. He’d come over, and we’d watch a movie or two, completely wrapped up in this comfortable little bubble we’d created. Exactly one week after our first date, we were talking about our plans for Sunday morning. We had realized during our first date that we went to the same church, so I was excited at the idea of going together.

Then he said, “Just so you know, my parents will be there.” Strangely, I wasn’t nervous at all. I figured we might run into them briefly. What I didn’t know was that he planned on sitting with them.

He asked, “If we meet my parents, what are we going to say?”

I gave him a confused look and said, “That we’re just friends?”

He paused, then said, “Well… what if we told them we’re dating?”

I thought about it for a moment, surprisingly calm, and said, “Sure.”

And just like that… that’s how we began.

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