Story
Our story is nothing short of unique.
At BlizzCon 2023, amid a sea of brilliant cosplays and epic gaming experiences, two souls were destined to meet. Lauren, dressed as Tracer from the Overwatch series and in need of a costume repair, crossed paths with Thuan, an artist at Blizzard Entertainment and fellow Overwatch cosplayer working a volunteer shift at the cosplay repair booth that day. They were, of course, introduced by Thuan’s former producer, MK (who just so happens to be Lauren’s best friend and future Maid of Honor), who saw a perfect opportunity to play matchmaker and arranged for them to meet up.
What started as nervous conversation and shy side glances quickly turned into hours spent wandering the convention floor together, sharing stories about their mutual love for Disney, cosplay/costuming, and K-pop preferences. All the while, something stirred inside both of them, as if there was a quiet, gentle whisper in their hearts — a feeling that their person had finally arrived, beckoning them home.
When the weekend ended, reality set in: Thuan lived in Orange County, California, and Lauren called Spokane, Washington home. But neither was ready to let go. Thuan initially thought there had been a spark, but after only a brief hug goodbye and a “nice to meet you,” he concluded that perhaps Lauren only wanted to be friends. Meanwhile, aboard her flight home, Lauren realized (after a couple of missed opportunities) that she couldn’t let this one chance slip away. She immediately texted Thuan, sharing that she had felt a spark too and hoped he felt the same. It was then they both decided it was worth it to make long distance work.
Late-night calls, surprise care packages, and daily “pebbles” became their new normal. Every few months, they found ways to visit — sometimes at conventions, sometimes hand in hand at Disneyland, and sometimes just during quiet weekends exploring each other’s cities.
By the next BlizzCon in 2026, they won’t just be costumed strangers with crushes — they’ll be husband and wife, bound together by shared passions, distance-defying effort, and a love that started with a costume malfunction and a little bit of magic.