Our love story began at a networking event in Spring of 2016, Michael was quirky, boisterous, outgoing, cocky, pleasantly annoying--basically a male version of Kassie. Between the two of us there was no instant attraction whatsoever. But we were were naturally drawn to each other in an instant friendship. We exchanged Facebook friend requests as if we'd been old pals.

Our conversations always flowed naturally and felt at ease. I suppose that the lack of romantic intentions on either of our part helped ease our friendship into the bliss.

Our first outing in the Summer of 2016 was a platonic "double date" with mutual friends. Really just 4 single friends on a random outing but we joked the entire night about the double date concept. Kassie remembers rebuffing flirtatious dialogue from the other guy friend and naturally being drawn back to her future lover's side. Still nothing romantic piqued any of our interests.

In the Summer of 2017 Kassie went to the emergency room feeling nauseous. Good ole Facebook just initiated a feature that captured your "nearby friends" and Michael saw that she was in the area wanted to link up after his side gig was over. When Kassie told him she was in the hospital he rushed to her side.

Guys, Kassie was looking a hot mess. Liiike total hot mess. But you know what--because she still thought of him in the platonic sense, she didn't care and moved with confidence and ease. Kassie mentioned she was moving in September and Mike promised to come over and help.

He came over that Sunday and something clicked. We shared a bottle of red wine and I expressed my delight in the intricacies of the flavors and notes--he chimed in rhythm and that's when the lightbulb went off.

Right under my nose. This whole time???

Instantly, I started getting nervous, butterflies, sweat. OMG Do I really like this guy? We've been friends for nearly 2 years and its taken me this long to realize he could be The One?

That late summer Sunday in 2017 we shared our first kiss and it was magical. Our lives and worlds have collided perfectly ever since.