Emily's Version:

Our story began like many days we've spent together - on the soccer field. It was on my first night as a 7U-8U Hive coach at Elkhorn Soccer Club that Shaad was training his high school boys on the next field over. So struck by the effortless way I can corral a group of tiny terrors, Shaad begged his boss, Rob, to hire me on in an office role so he could see me every single day at work. I accepted the position as Marketing Director of ESC in 2018 and took my place at the head of the conference table that our office of 5 shared, right next to Shaad. Shaad kept his cool for about 2 months, until one fateful February night.

After a coaching event, a few of us went out in Benson - a hipster bar/restaurant scene in Omaha. Shaad and I were the first ones there and this is where we had our first real conversation (Shaad tended to prefer not speaking to anyone in the office unless it was absolutely necessary). This conversation did not have any particular sparks but I enjoyed getting to know him outside of the office a little bit. Fast forward to the end of the night after several hours of karaoke and one masterful performance of Santeria by Shaad, I finally felt a spark. However, I continued to emphatically deny any connection for the next 3 months (ask Anne). It wasn't for a lack of effort from Shaad, though. He even went as far as to intentionally leave his wallet at my apartment just so I would have to call him. Finally, after watching him lose in the state final, the "homies" took Shaad out for some consolation beers and I can't explain why, but I was in. He drove me home that night and we stayed up until 5 a.m. just talking. It is still one of my favorite nights of us.

All I can say is thank goodness he chased me so hard! It's been nearly 6 years of pure bliss and I can't wait to spend a hundred more with him :)

Shaad's Version (the truth):

Em and I first met while working for Elkhorn Soccer Club in Omaha, Nebraska. I had been working there for about a year when Emily started. Our story began innocently enough in the fall of 2017, Emily would show up to the Leboo's house to watch Chiefs games. While we shared the same friend group and had hung out together on multiple occasions, it wasn't until February of 2018 that we spent time together just the two of us. We were meeting everyone out for a few drinks and Emily and I happened to show up early at the same time. We shared a table and had a drink while we waited for everyone else to arrive. While I was expecting that awkward small talk that sometimes happens in these situations, the conversation flowed very easily between us. The night ended up at a karaoke bar where Emily showed off her amazing voice, singing multiple songs to applause from the entire bar. I sang one song, to the applause of no one. We ended the night staying up late talking, mostly about our shared love for all things Harry Potter.

I remember thinking at the time how amazing Emily was, but I was adamant that I did not want to pursue a relationship with someone I worked with. Over the next few months Emily would find ways to break down my hesitancy to date a co-worker; showing up to the Leboo's to watch KU basketball games (she couldn't care less about the Jayhawks), "finding" my wallet at her apartment the next day after a get together there, and many other ways.

After several months of Emily's persistence, I finally came to my senses and asked her out on a date. We would go to the movies (still one of our favorite date nights) and drinks after, eventually leading us to the life we've built together. Thank goodness Emily was so creative in finding ways to get us to hang out together. I couldn't imagine a life without her.