It was one of those days where I was just hanging out at home scrolling through instagram stories…. Tyler had just posted a picture of a brewery on his Instagram, raving about how much he loved the place. And me? I had no idea who Tyler was, but the photo caught my eye. It wasn’t the beer or the idea of a fun night out that grabbed my attention—it was the beautiful plants in the background. I thought, I have to say something.

So, I did what anyone else would do when they’re curious and feeling bold—I slid into his DMs. I complimented the brewery and hinted at being a fan of craft beer (a harmless little fib). Tyler, naturally, jumped on this supposed shared interest and started talking about hops and lagers, and I played along. I wasn’t about to admit I’d been ogling the philodendrons.

Over the next few months, we couldn’t stop talking. We joked, laughed, and told each other the kinds of stories you only share when you’re completely comfortable with someone. I couldn’t help but light up every time I got a notification from him, and based on his responses, I knew he felt the same. We were hooked on each other.

One night, as we were reminiscing about how we started talking, the brewery photo came up. Tyler, with his usual cheeky grin, asked, “So, what’s your favorite beer from there again?” I froze. My years of expertise in medical assisting had prepared me for emergencies, but not for this. “Oh, uh… you know, I didn’t exactly go there for the beer,” I mumbled. He raised an eyebrow, curious now. “What do you mean?”

“It was the plants,” I admitted, cringing a little. “I didn’t even notice the beer. I just really liked the decor.”

Tyler stared at me for a moment before bursting out laughing. “You mean to tell me this entire time, I’ve been hyping up beer and you couldn’t care less?” I nodded sheepishly, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief. His laughter only grew. “Unbelievable. I was trying to impress you with my beer knowledge!”

From then on, it didn’t matter what the topic was—beer, plants, or the most mundane things like what we ate for lunch—we couldn’t stop talking. Every message, every conversation just confirmed what I was starting to realize: I had found my person.

Now, standing next to Tyler on our special day, I can’t help but laugh at how it all started. Who would’ve thought a random brewery post, a little white lie, and my love for plants would lead me here? Tyler is my whole world, my safe place, and my best friend. With him, there’s never a dull moment—just endless love, laughter, and joy. And honestly, there’s no better place to be than right here, beside him, forever.

I was hanging out at a local brewery called Bombs Away and of course I did my usual post of me being at a brewery on my day off and just scrolling away on instagram…

Then, I noticed I had a direct message. My-Nguyen had commented about how she loved that brewery ! That caught my attention very quickly that she was commenting on my post ! Turns out, we quickly bonded over a mix of playful banter and shared interests that extended far beyond the confines of that single photo. We joked about our mutual dislike for reality TV, traded recommendations for independent bookstores, and discovered a shared love for old-school board games. It was easy, like we had known each other forever.

As our conversations continued, something became clear: she wasn’t into beer at all. She’d mentioned the brewery, but as it turned out, it wasn’t about the beer—she was all about the plants. I couldn’t help but laugh at myself for thinking she had been commenting on the drinks. From that moment, I realized there was so much more to her than just that first impression. Our text conversations turned into long, engaging talks about everything—our dreams, our quirks, and what made us tick. And as much as I’d like to think it was all about my smooth replies, I found myself looking forward to her messages more than I expected.

Eventually, I worked up the courage to ask her out. To my surprise, she said yes. Our first date was simple—just coffee and conversation at a quiet local cafe—but it was perfect. From that moment, something clicked. The connection we had online translated effortlessly into the real world. We couldn’t stop talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company.

That’s when we started our “every other day” tradition. One day together, the next apart, each day separated by the anticipation of seeing each other again. Even when life got in the way, we always found a way to make it work. The bond we had built online grew stronger in person, and I knew we were creating something real.

Now, sitting beside My-Nguyen in our cozy apartment, I think back to that Instagram story, that comment about the plants, and how everything started. It’s funny how a simple exchange about greenery led to this—her, my whole world, and the love of my life. Our “every other day” tradition is more than just a routine. It’s a reminder of how connections can grow, and how they can shape your life in the most unexpected ways.