I met Andrew on the 30th floor of the Harbert Tower, overlooking Birmingham. That conference room window is easily seen from the interstate, which has made it easy to point out every time we drive by. I was there for an interview for my first “real” job. Andrew was one of the people in charge of the hiring process, and in turn, one of the two conducting my final interview.

During the couple of hours I spent in that interview, I remember thinking Andrew was super smart and professional. He naturally makes a great first impression, especially when he’s talking about something he is passionate about, so it’s no surprise I thought he was great.

And good news - I got the job! Andrew was the one to call and tell me.

In the days before starting work, I saw an Instagram story from my friend Anna Claire of that super smart and professional guy from my interview scream-singing karaoke. “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys, to be exact. I thought to myself “Oh, he also has this fun side! Good for him.”

My first couple of days at work were onboarding. Andrew had a significant role in that process, so I got to spend a lot of time in the same room as him. I learned about his sense of humor during these first days. He made the whole room laugh in the moments that I wasn’t even expecting a joke. I also learned about how good he is with people. Those two days were spreadsheet after paperwork after tutorial after spreadsheet, and he made them enjoyable for everyone who got to be in that onboarding room.

I learned about his childhood in South Africa. I learned about the themed rum parties he threw for his Birmingham friends. I learned how important his three years as a high school science teacher through Teach For America were to him. The more I learned, the more impressed I was. Not always in a romantic way - more in a “I can’t believe this guy hired me” kind of way.

Unfortunately, I also learned he was on his way to Nashville to get his MBA at Vanderbilt. His last three weeks at work were my first three weeks. As Andrew always sarcastically includes, “Yeah, we really nailed the timing there”.

For his final week on the job, instead of slacking off and packing up his things like a normal person, he organized five full days of professional development for the staff so that we could feel confident for our year ahead. The first day featured a Q&A panel with a few Birmingham students, and Andrew was the facilitator.

During this Q&A, it all clicked. I saw him interact with students and I saw him as the high school science teacher. I listened to him speak to our group and heard his confidence and intelligence. I watched him navigate the session seamlessly. He was encouraging, inclusive, thoughtful, kind, and thought-provoking. He could have very easily hogged the spotlight and made the session all about him, but he used every moment of attention to showcase how great these young people are. All of that, plus the side of him that scream-sings karaoke, I finally had the thought, “This guy is IT.”

Despite the unlikely timing, and the fact that he had just hired me, I finally decided that life was too short for me not to make a move. I considered my options:

Worst case scenario: I ask him out, he says no, it’s weird for four days, I never see him again.

Best case scenario: I ask him out, we get married.

We went on two dates that week. The night before he moved to Nashville, we got a last dinner together. He asked what we were going to do moving forward. Do we just say those two dates were fun, but go our separate ways? Or do we take a chance on a long distance relationship after two dates?

I am so happy to say we are living out the best case scenario. Everything has fallen perfectly into place. I am thrilled to scream-sing karaoke with him until death do us part.

...

And before you read Andrew's story, I need you to know that there WAS an opossum in my apartment, there IS photo evidence, and my roommate Shannon was also a witness. Ok now you can read his.

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