Zak and Maya connected over Hinge (the dating app) because of a statement Zak had written about loving Harry Potter audiobooks. When Maya replied by name-dropping the audiobook narrator, both of them knew they needed to meet. Zak and Maya’s first date was at the Austin Central Library, where they realized that they had both been raised Unitarian Universalist, both been homeschooled, had both spent their early years in Northern Virginia, and were both working as teachers.

Maya’s brother, Benja, took Zak rock climbing for their second date, and Maya introduced Zak to her parents later that week. They welcomed him with spectacular warmth (and gentle teasing). It took three more months before Zak’s family got to meet Maya and attempt to introduce her to all the food Arlington has to offer.

About two years into their relationship Zak and Maya adopted a puppy, Uther. Maya proposed to Zak the following week, and Zak proposed to Maya two weeks later (this joint proposal was an idea from Kaiya).

Zak and Maya like road-tripping, music festivals, playing with their dog, running, biking, cooking, reading, throwing parties for friends and family, and listening to Harry Potter audiobooks together. Every night they tell each other where they saw the Big Mystery in their day, and every morning they say “good morning, I love you!”