As most of you know, Keith and I met in a friend group back in 2018. We hit it off pretty quickly — probably because we both love all things water: pools, lakes, beaches… basically, if it involved chlorine or sand, we were in. We also bonded over our shared love of music, especially live shows — and we always had the best time together.

At some point, Keith decided he wanted to upgrade from “fun friend” to “potential boyfriend” and asked me out. I told him, “Hmm… not sure I can take you out of the friend zone, buddy.” But after thinking it over (and realizing how amazing he is), I decided to give it a shot.

So on August 28th, 2021, we went on our first date — and just like that, Keith officially escaped the friend zone. The rest is history!

How We Met: From Crewmate to Life Mate.


We met the way good stories often begin—by accident, yet perfectly timed. It was spring of 2018, in a casual swirl of birthday parties, pool days, and Meetup group gatherings. At first, she was someone my friend Reggie pointed out, a beautiful face I quietly took note of. But I wasn’t using Meetups to date—I was there to connect, not complicate. So we settled into easy conversation and friend vibes, joining a circle that grew into something like a crew. It’s funny how comfort can make courage seem far away.


By 2019, we were talking more—seemingly always gravitating toward each other, unbeknownst to us, during group hangouts. Behind the scenes, two of our closest friends were nudging us forward, each playing silent matchmaker. “Just ask her out,” my friend Lisa would urge, while her friend Day whispered, ‘You two should date’ into her ear. Even random strangers and our friends in the crew noticed. “Are you two dating?” they’d ask. We’d laugh, deny it, and say, “We’re just friends.” And we meant it—until we didn’t.


In the Summer of 2021, something shifted. We started hanging out one-on-one. Little by little, the conversations deepened, and so did the feeling that maybe this wasn’t just friendship anymore. One night, after leaving one of our favorite live music venues—my heart light but guarded—I took a chance. “Would you want to go out sometime?” I asked, laughing nervously. She laughed, too, equally cautious. We were risking a solid friendship and a steady crew dynamic, and we both knew it.


We ended up at Café Brazil, talking until the early hours. About life, about risks, about what it meant to dive into something new without destroying something great. We had a few more long, soul-searching conversations. And then, with more hope than certainty, we said yes. We gave it a go.


…it was the best chance I’ve ever taken.


The rest? The rest is our story.