Where to start… Joe and I first met in the spring of 2019 while working at the Rec Center. I remember heading down to the weight room to take his place, and he wouldn’t stop talking about some philosophy book.

Now, let’s switch to Joe’s perspective. Yes, our very first interaction wasn’t exactly the stuff of love stories. Most would call it inconsequential, but our journey is one of forced proximity that blossomed through a series of casual interactions. It was all about having fun and sharing our unique perspectives during our front desk shifts.

Fast forward to fall 2019, when Joe and I found ourselves on the exact same work schedule, closing the front desk four nights a week. I was stuck with him! Initially, there wasn’t an overwhelming spark between us; rather, the attraction grew slowly, almost like realizing that something great had been right in front of us all along.

Over the next few months, our shifts became the highlight of our days. Work transformed from a mundane task into something we looked forward to, filled with games, ridiculous conversations, and the quirky events of our daily lives. Our hours together were a blend of work-related discussions and personal curiosities—sharing where we came from, what interested us, and our core values.

These conversations were often spontaneous and, while we didn’t always see eye to eye, our openness and willingness to share created a connection we didn’t know we needed. I admired Jamie’s poise and conscientiousness; she handled the chaos of our student job with grace, always keeping things on track. Her kindness and genuine concern for doing what was right stood out to me as truly rare. She made me feel a warmth and giddiness that few could, and her smile was simply irresistible. While it took time to break through her exterior, each moment I could brighten her day made it worthwhile.

Now back to Jamie’s perspective: Joe was a flirt! He would sing, dance, and try to make me laugh at every opportunity. Initially, I was still haunted by that first interaction, but eventually, he managed to score a giggle or two.

Our connection wasn’t a single defining moment; it was a series of daily meetings that allowed our friendship to evolve naturally. As we revealed more of ourselves, we built a solid foundation for something deeper. The question was whether we were even looking for that. In the end, it made perfect sense to take our relationship to the next level. It was a bit shocking and scary to rethink our connection as coworkers, but it led us to a realization: life just felt right when we were together.