They met on 8/25/2020, right after the first wave of quarantine ended, at a tea shop in Ballard, a cute and trendy neighborhood of Seattle.

They wore face masks.

There was no hug or hand shake.

Just a smile and hello.

They ordered tea and stepped outside for a walk on a waterfront trail headed to the Ballard Locks (because sitting inside wasn't yet allowed). So, they walked and talked for about 2 hours.

Unlike typical relationships, COVID forced them to have some big conversations very early on.... they discussed things like, "Who have you been in contact with?" and "How seriously are you taking quarantine?" and "Is it safe to be in the same room with you?"

It was awkward.

The hard questions early on set them up for success, helping each of them to be really thoughtful about the time they spent together during a global pandemic.

They were both 38 years old, never married, and had some pretty high standards to find "the one."

Neither of them was ever going to settle.

Then, as luck would have it, each of them had some travel plans and prior commitments that would not allow them to see each other again for over a month.

So, they continued to date by text and phone... slowly growing a connection through distance and time.

After that, the second wave of quarantine forced everyone back into their homes, so their dates consisted of hanging out at her apartment, ordering Uber Eats, and having 90s hip-hop dance parties in leisure wear (because who gets dressed up for a quarantine date at their own apartment?!).

Their connection grew and they finally had their first dinner date at a restaurant in November 2020 (3 months after their first meeting). They sat at the dinner table wearing winter jackets and bundled in blankets, because the restaurant had all their doors and windows open to increase airflow and reduce exposure to COVID.

They were freezing, but hopeful and well fed.

They took their first selfie as a couple that night.

Later they would frame the picture.