Our story begins with a passing comment from Grant's friend Matt, who claimed Erika, his cousin's best friend, was absolutely wonderful. As time went on and anticipation grew, Grant eagerly awaited their first encounter. At last, there she was, sitting at his kitchen table with her friends, completely ignoring him. Months later, after a dozen casual encounters and a few select ones, life's twists and turns brought Grant to Erika's doorstep, clenching a thawing shrimp cocktail and a handful of hope. It was her annual holiday party, and he was the first one there. She ignored him the entire evening. The night meandered into an after party and, as the crowd thinned, Grant remained. Finally, as Erika approached the bar, their eyes met and time stopped. A heartfelt conversation over life's intricacies turned into countless others, and that winter, they got lost in the impossible simplicity of finding a soulmate. After countless adventures in New York and abroad, their lives fully intertwined. Months turned to years, and their love for one another has blossomed into a lifelong celebration of love.