In October 2023, Sam and I found ourselves scrolling through the dating apps and decided to connect. We exchanged several conversations which ultimately led to him asking for a date. At this time I had recently broken my foot and was getting around on a knee push scooter. Given this situation, I was reluctant to arrange a date. The thought of meeting someone for the first time while scooting in a boot and a bright blue rolling scooter was terrifying. I let Sam know about this and he shared with me a story of him helping a friend move several years ago where he too broke his foot, ironically the same fracture that I was dealing with. Him sharing this made me feel a great deal more comfortable with the situation and he got me thinking maybe what I was going through wasn't such a big deal- a foretelling attribute of our later relationship dynamics.

The beginning of our fate was made, Sam and I decided to meet for coffee one day. I planned ahead, got there early to spare my embarrassment of strolling in on my scooter, decided on an outfit that made my orthopedic boot less noticeable and there we were. Sam showed up casually with a simple black tee and sporting a Carhartt fanny-pack, both memorable looks if you ask me, and most importantly a very sincere midwestern and caring attitude.

Whether it was fate, commonality of boredom or a semi embarrassing injury that brought us together, neither of us could have expected to be here today. We began spending time together; being each other's go to pal for day to day conversation, scary movie nights and random desires like my need for a last minute paint night.

After a few months of this, Sam was facing an unfortunate scenario which left him with a tough choice of possibly needing to rehome his dog, Daz. As the dog lover that I am, I offered to let Daz stay with me until he got things figured out. After less than a month of my commitment, I found myself perusing a travel nurse job which would leave me away from my home for several days to weeks at a time- what a help I was right? So sadly, this not only left me unable to fulfill my temporary dog mom duties but also in need of a long term cat and house sitter. Well, in comes an obvious solution to all of our problems. Sam would watch my house, my cat, and his dog while I went back and forth between work and home.

The first time I went away for work, I remember an increasing worry of this choice because I thought Sam, this man I had met on the internet, had let my cat out and him and my house were completely vulnerable to his antics. I began questioning my own judgement and thinking that I may have made a big mistake. I'm not sure that my parents really have put this together, but I called them about this and this was the first time I really spoke about Sam- sharing how worried I was and that he may be neglecting my cat and my house and how terrified I was about the situation.

Well worry no more, my cat, Buster Rhymes, was okay. He was not left outside and he was perfectly fine. Sam was a gentlemen in my home and despite a few holes in the yard, Daz was also a delightful little lady guest.

As the extremist of ideals that I am, I began wondering if I could see Sam more than just the mere kind hearted friend I thought he was. This went on for several months before we brought up the topic and we both became aware that we indeed meant more to each other than just friends. We slowly started to navigate this idea. And in a matter of months we were fully committed and the rest is history.

This string of events led Sam and I to get to know each other in a way we both feel was very special. We left out the pressure of each other's intentions or expectations out of the picture which allowed us to be authentically ourselves, and to see each other on a very real and genuine level. Now, we have deemed ourselves parents to each other's pets and vowed that if anything happens to each other we will take over full responsibility of our soon to be step pets, Daz and Buster Rhymes. We do our best to enjoy simple things together and dream of a quaint life for ourselves, full of love and laughter. Sam and I share all the time how blessed we feel to have found each other and look forward to what life will surprise us with next.