"After a few days of texting, we thought it would be nice to meet up for coffee at a small shop nearby to get to know each other better. At the time, I had just moved to Florida and didn't have a car, so I was relying on the bus to get around. The morning of our coffee date, I texted her to confirm if we were still on for the afternoon. To my surprise, I got no response. As the time of our date approached and I still hadnt heard anything, I started to get a little nervous. Was she really going to ghost me? The thought crossed my mind, but since it took a bus ride and a long walk in the Florida heat to get there, I had to make a decision. So, like any hopeless optimist, I decided to take my chances. Off I went, braving the heat, thinking, “Maybe she’s just really into making a dramatic entrance.” But alas, no dramatic entrance, in fact, there was no entrance at all. She didn’t show, and there I was, with my confidence in tatters. After sitting there for a while, trying to look as though I enjoyed spending quality time with myself, I finally admitted defeat and headed home. That evening, just as I was rehearsing my “It’s fine, no big deal” speech, she messaged me, apologizing profusely for missing our date. She explained that she had been sick and spent most of the day asleep, completely unaware of my solo coffee adventure. I could tell she was genuinely sorry, and despite everything, I still really wanted to see her. So, I wearily agreed to another date. This time, to my surprise—and slight relief—she actually showed up, and it turned out to be a fantastic time. Now, five years later, I get to marry the girl who almost turned our first date into my last."

Our night began with a simple plan: watch a rocket launch. Little did we know it would unfold into the best date and one of my favorite nights I’ve ever had. The adventure started with a late-night coffee run to Dunkin'. As two of the only customers at that hour, Matt and I found ourselves lost in conversation and coffee. Realizing we should head out for the launch, we made a quick stop at my parents' house to grab a special pass, so that we could get a closer view. Then we drove to Cape Canaveral, only to learn as we got close that the launch was about to start! We only made it halfway to our intended viewing spot before having to pull over. Initially, I felt disappointed, wanting Matt to experience the rocket launch as close as I had seen it before. But he thought it was awesome. Seeing how much he really enjoyed the launch, even from our improvised viewing area, made me feel better. I was just happy to see him happy. The night could have ended perfectly there, but I wasn't ready to let it go. On a whim, I suggested we visit the beach. Despite the late hour, Matt agreed without hesitation. We found ourselves sitting directly on the sand, no towels or flip-flops, just enjoying the beach. As we sat there, leaned up against each other, the sounds of the ocean in the background and the night sky above, I realized how content I felt simply being in Matt's presence. Everything about the moment felt right and I wished I could stay in it forever. I knew it was special for the both of us, and that it would be a night we would always remember.