It all began in February 2021 — the world was still in lockdown and meeting people meant swiping right instead of stepping out. Yet, somewhere between Edmonton's quiet pandemic air, Bumble did what real life couldn't.

She was in her final year of online university, balancing deadlines and Wi-Fi drops, while he was between jobs, trying to figure out what day of the week it was. What started as simple banter quickly evolved into in-depth essays, subtle flirting, and barrages of laughter. Every response was easy and natural — like we’d known each other forever; the first sensations of love and belonging had seeped through simple blocks of text.

When we finally met (after what felt like forever), everything just clicked. The awkward first-meeting nerves lasted about five seconds — and from then on, it’s been laughs, adventures, and a whole lot of takeout nights ever since.