On a chilly December night in 2023, Caitlin and Thomas, at this point strangers, made their way to the The Loft in Columbus, Georgia, to celebrate their mutual friend, Hannah’s, birthday. Caitlin, having spent the hours prior watching The Holiday with Hannah’s mom, arrived fashionably late and riding high on the fateful whimsy the movie had inspired. Thomas, having arrived on time, was finishing recounting a dismal dating-app encounter to one of his best friend’s, Joseph, when Caitlin walked in.

Thomas saw Caitlin before she saw him. From across the bar, she ordered a vodka cran and greeted Hannah excitedly. Thomas felt giddy, realizing she knew Hannah, and he would have a reason to introduce himself. He walked over with Joseph, and Hannah lit up at the opportunity to bring friends together. “Thomas! This is Caitlin, my roommate from college. And Caitlin, this is Thomas. He lives in Alpharetta, right?”

“Haha, no, I work for the city of Marietta and live in Kennesaw.” Thomas corrected, amused.

Caitlin’s face lit up, “OMG, no way, I live in Marietta! Or, I guess East Cobb, technically, but we live like twenty minutes away from each other!”

From there, a door to something new creaked open. As they continued talking and joking and enjoying one another’s company, they unknowingly walked right through it. On the other side was a new universe of knowing the other and learning that this was where they belonged. Now, no longer strangers from across the bar, they’re elated to share the next step in their journey with all of you in November.