I first met Albert in 2018 when he joined the same team I was on at work. He came over from the sales department, which, to be honest, I was not a big fan of. So, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about anyone from that department joining our team. But somehow, Albert ended up sitting right across from me, and before I knew it, we became fast friends. We spent countless lunches at Ranch 616, Bar Chi, and Cedar Door, and after hours, sometimes we’d end up on the East Side at Volstead. We always had a lot of fun together and had a lot in common, so I was grateful to find another friend that was so easy to talk with. Though, I most definitely could not see what would be coming in the future!

Later that year, I moved to Europe, and though we went our separate ways, we always stayed in touch and met up whenever we could. Years passed, there was a pandemic, and a lot of life changes for both of us.

I moved back to the U.S. in 2021, and that’s when Albert told me there might be something more between us. We began having long, deep conversations that eventually brought us even closer. Now, living together in New York, I’m amazed at how our friendship has grown and evolved over the years to turn into the most meaningful relationship of my life. <3

I remember my first interaction with Cat at the beer taps at our old workplace (of course). I made a comment roasting Iowa for being the state everyone forgets, which apparently made a lasting impression... though Cat now claims she doesn’t remember it at all. We became friends pretty quickly, and as she mentioned, we spent a lot of lunches sweating in the Texas sun drinking Mexican martinis.

Just as we were getting closer, Cat dropped a bomb that she was moving to Europe. Selfishly, I was pretty disappointed. We were just friends at that point, but the idea of her leaving made me start to realize I might feel something more. One of those things where the thought of it going away gives you a little clarity. Anyway, she moved, and that was that.

We kept in touch here and there, and a lot of life happened for both of us like loss, change, and a global pandemic. When Cat was thinking about moving back to the States, she came through Austin and we went for lunch again. It felt like nothing had changed. We picked up right where we left off and in the back of my mind, I started to wonder if maybe there was something worth exploring. We hung out a few more times, and eventually I shot my shot. I said something like, “Hey... what if?” Somehow, that turned into everything.