It was a Monday morning on October 1, 2018, when Sarena, newly graduated and eager to make her mark, started her nursing job at Kindred Hospital. She first noticed Atif as he was heading to his car to eat lunch alone. His quiet demeanor and occasional stares intrigued her, though she initially found him a bit weird and to reserved. Atif was a seasoned staff member, he was popular, and was known for his friendly demeanor and dedication to patient care. According to Atif he also noticed Sarena at first glance and thought “One day she will be my wife”.

Over the next few weeks, Sarena and Atif found themselves working together on several shifts. Despite Atif's initial shyness and awkward attempts at conversation, they began to bond over shared moments and Atif's quirky sense of humor. Sarena, who didn't eat meat, found herself amused by Atif's playful jokes about her dietary habits. One day, Atif was walking by in the hallway and seen Sarena was making her way to lunch. Atif in panic says, " On your way to lunch Rabbit". Sarena was so confused but relieved that Atif finally said some words, she tells him “I thought you didn’t speak”.

After that conversation, Atif, was struggling to muster the courage to ask Sarena out. For a few more weeks, the two bonded over funny random videos that Atif would show in the middle of work. Atif started to average 6 videos a day, Sarena really started to connect with Atif, but thought maybe he just wants to be friends. One day, Atif enlisted the help of their coworkers in a humorous yet slightly clumsy plan. Pretending there was an urgent call from a doctor, they got Sarena out of a room as she was elbow deep cleaning poop, giving Atif the opportunity to nervously ask for her number. (It was in fact not a doctor on the phone, and they heard my mouth about it! Liars! Lol). Sarena did give him her number.

That night, Atif texted Sarena and they soon found themselves spending hours on the phone, laughing, watching movies, and sharing stories like teenagers in love. Their relationship deepened as they navigated the complexities of balancing their personal lives with their demanding careers.

As their bond strengthened, Sarena and Atif became each other's pillars of support through difficult shifts and celebrated milestones together. They learned to communicate openly, sharing their hopes and fears, and discovering in each other not just romantic partners but best friends. They even bought their first home together in December 2022.

Their journey from colleagues to companions taught them about the power of love and resilience. With time, they realized they had found in each other a deep and FOREVER connection that transcended their initial impressions and challenges. Their story at Kindred Hospital became a testament to the unexpected ways in which love can flourish, even amidst the busy corridors of a hospital.

P.S. I Still call Sarena my bunny