Story
In March 2021, before I knew he existed, I came to New York on a business trip. I'd just started a new job a few months ago, and as I checked into my 190-square feet room at Moxy Hotel in Chelsea, which would be my home for the next 7 weeks, I was motivated to do nothing but grind.
4 weeks later on a Wednesday evening, I was working late as usual - PJs on, leftover Ubereats on the bed, munching on Magnolia Bakery banana pudding (the best) - when my colleague, Lea, called. She asked to come join a client dinner. I thought to myself, "Nope, NO way I'm going out tonight. How do I tell her nicely?" So I replied: "You've got this Lea, don't need me. I have a reeeeaally bad headache so think I'll stay in." Lea didn't buy that. She continued to harass.
After about 2 hours of back and forth, I gave in and arrived at Lupa, a cute Italian restaurant in Greenwich Village, 15 minutes before closing. There were about 15 people at the table. I grabbed an open seat and started chatting - this was, after all, a business event.
And then, there he was, sitting across from me, couple seats down. He asked, "So... have you done any sightseeing around New York yet?"
After that night, we did some sightseeing together over the next 2 weeks before I flew back to San Francisco. I didn't know what would happen next. But that first weekend back in California, he showed up at my doorstep - completely unannounced.
And... here we are, 3 years later. :)