We're basically a Hallmark movie in real life.

We first met in 2007 and dated for a while, but the timing wasn't right - Piotr didn't want to leave Athens and Vickie was on the academic track that would see her moving across a few states. After splitting up in 2008, we lost touch until our friend Ort died in January 2023.

We reconnected on Facebook when Vickie reached out to express condolences, and chatted occasionally over the next few months. That August, Vickie and her best friend Bryan were traveling around the south for a combination kayaking and family visit trip, and we met up again.

It only took a few minutes of talking for us to realize we both missed each other and wanted another chance, and we were basically done.

In the two years since, we've been through a lot - navigating long distance shenanigans, Vickie's shoulder injury, Piotr's colon cancer, and now Vickie's hemochromatosis along with plenty of other assorted health issues for each of us - but we still absolutely love one another and we're ready for the next chapter.

Thank you, Ort.

V&P