When Melissa and Thom connected their banter was easy and natural, as if theyd known each other forever. But when Melissa suggested a 7 AM coffee date, Thom had to blink at his screen. Seven in the morning? Was she serious?
She was. And so, on June 1st, 2023, as the sun stretched over Los Angeles, they met at Groundwork Coffee. The city was just waking up, but for them, something new was already stirring.


Melissa, full of energy even at dawn, greeted Thom with a bright smile, and he, still adjusting to the early hour was instantly charmed. But he had come prepared. Wanting to impress her, Thom brought along his golden retriever, June, knowing no one could resist her fluffy charm. As June wagged her tail excitedly, Melissa was smitten, not just with the dog, but with the thoughtful, endearing man who had brought her.

A few days later, they met again for their second date. Thom had just celebrated his birthday, and Melissa, thoughtful as ever, surprised him with a book of poems by Young Pueblo. She had no idea at the time how meaningful this simple gift was—how much poetry was a quiet passion of Thom’s, something he had cherished and created in his own time. As he flipped through the pages, something stirred in him. This woman, whom he had only just begun to know, somehow saw him more deeply than most.


From that moment on, life became an adventure together.


In just two months, they packed their bags and flew to Cabo, embracing spontaneity. But that was just the beginning. Together, they explored the world—Japan, Hawaii, Mississippi, Redding, Tahoe, Big Bear—each destination deepening their bond. They danced under the desert sky at Burning Man, swayed to music at Splash House, and found peace at Bhakti Fest. And then, there was Holbox, a place that held something extra special—where time seemed to slow, where love felt infinite.


One coffee date turned into another. Then into weekend road trips, spontaneous getaways, and nights filled with laughter that echoed long after they said goodnight. They weren’t just two people in love; they were best friends, partners in crime, and co-pilots in a journey that felt limitless.


Looking back, that 7 AM coffee wasn’t just an early start—it was the beginning of something extraordinary.