Before the couple met they crossed paths at the gym every afternoon. Lily first noticed Max in May of 2022, she then was motivated more than ever to workout. Max never took a rest day again after he first noticed Lily a few weeks later. Lily had been working on brainstorming the perfect pick up line to finally approach Max. She did this for days until one day Max passed Lily, and the two locked eyes and Max shot Lily a quick smile. At that moment they felt as if they were the only two people in the world. That was all the courage Lily needed to make the first move. The following day at the gym Lily approached Max with the question "What are we working out today?" insisting that they were going to workout together. Sadly it was Max's rest day so technically he was supposed to stay home and rest but he came anyways "just to walk the treadmill." Lily knew deep down he came to see her because who comes to the gym on their rest day? Lily returned to her workout, obviously staying in Maxs line of vision the whole time. The two spent at least three hours at the gym that afternoon hoping the other would build up the courage to ask to exchange numbers. Finally Max couldn't take it anymore so he awkwardly went up to Lily and they exchanged numbers.

They texted for less than five hours before they planned their first date at Lily's favorite Chinese restaurant. Max picked Lily up for their first date at six pm. The two shared their first meal together as they started sharing details about their lives such as families and hobbies. As soon as they finished dinner they realized they never wanted their first date to end so they walked around Turner Park in Midtown Crossing for hours. As the night came to an end the two went their separate ways. The instant Lily got home she gushed all the date details, that her gym crush took her on, to her older sister, Natasha. Max eventually texted Lily and she quickly set up their second date. Lily had asked Max to go to the farmers market with her on Saturday morning. Without hesitation Max responded yes. That is when he realized this girl was something special because never in a million years would he agree to spend his Saturday morning at the farmers market.

The two spent the next couple of weeks working out together, going on dates, and started introducing each other to close friends. Lily knew Max was in love when he arranged a dinner with all of his closest college friends just so they could meet her. Max made it official with Lily the night of 4th of July right under the fireworks. Fourth of July will forever be a special holiday the couple share together.