Every love story has a beginning and ours was in dental school.

Thanks to Covid-19, we spent our first year of dental school online and never had the opportunity to interact. Come second year however, our paths would finally cross. With the easing of restrictions and classes returning to in-person, the rigorous studies and demands of second year hit full swing. Between exams and studying, precious little time could be spent else where. Thankfully, amidst all the pathology and exam cramming we both shared a need for family and friends to keep us grounded amongst all the work piling up. It was thanks to our friends that we would finally meet.

On an evening after conquering the latest exam, a celebration was had and the strain of school was forgotten for a night. Running in separate circles, it was chance that our friend groups would end up in the same spot that night. As conversations were had and commiserating on exam results were shared, Kevin noticed Emma from across the way. With that glance Kevin became enraptured with the need to talk to her and confidently made his way over. Our short exchange was capped off with Kevin telling Emma she was beautiful and departing for the evening.

It would be some months later in the summer that the seeds laid from that interaction would come to blossom. At the cusp of our third year of dental school we began our introduction to patient care. On our seemingly separate paths starting to practice dentistry, another crossroad would find us. Kevin would be among the first on surgical rotations first which offered Emma an opportunity to rekindle the conversation. As text messages became micro-novels to each other, feelings bloomed into what would become our first date in June 2022.

Since our first date, our relationship would take us on adventures near and far, through highs and lows, and push us to grow together. Throughout the remainder of dental school we would grow to depend on each others strengths as the challenges increased. The trials and tribulations of school and then licensing only served to bring us closer and understand how special it is to have someone that understands your struggles and career as uniquely as we do for each other. After all the challenges that could be thrown our way had been bested we became officially licensed dentists and celebrated our achievement before Kevin would leave for Officer Training School. As our careers became concrete, Emma started to work at a private practice dental office and Kevin began to serve his commitment to the United States Air Force. As we began to figure out this new chapter of life, we welcomed home a sweet furry boy named Moose.