Like all great love stories, this one begins with a wedding. But not theirs—at least, not yet.

Kim’s cousin, David, and Kevin’s cousin, Julie, were the ones exchanging vows that day. Amidst the twinkling lights, heartfelt toasts, and the magic of "happily ever after," a plan was set in motion: to bring Kim and Kevin together. But love has a way of working on its own timeline, and with the whirlwind of wedding festivities, the plan was forgotten—temporarily.

Two months later, fate (and a little nudge from Cupid) orchestrated another chance. It was Father’s Day when Kim found herself at Kevin’s family dinner table. The room buzzed with anticipation, eyes subtly glancing their way, silently willing something—anything—to happen. Small talk teetered between charming and awkward, but when the night ended, Kevin walked away without Kim’s number. A missed opportunity… or just a plot twist?

Cupid, unwilling to admit defeat, intervened once more. This time, Kevin got Kim’s number, and the two began exchanging messages. For a week, they danced between words on a screen, Kim convinced this was just another fleeting connection. And then came the invitation for coffee.

Their first date unfolded in the heart of Old Towne Orange, at Contra Coffee. What was meant to be a simple meeting stretched into an entire day, as if time itself had stepped aside to let them be. Conversation flowed effortlessly, laughter filled the spaces between sips of coffee, and before they knew it, they were strolling through Chapman University—Kim’s alma mater. They played pretend in empty classrooms, wandered through the gallery, and let nostalgia weave its way into their newfound connection.

Still, the day refused to end. Lunch followed at Tempo Cantina, then a visit to Kevin’s alma mater, Cal State Fullerton. Even after all that, neither was ready to say goodbye. So they found themselves at the most unexpected of places—Dollar Tree and Staples—stretching the evening just a little bit longer, because somehow, even the most ordinary moments felt extraordinary together.

And from that day on, their story continued—written in the quiet moments, the grand adventures and travels, and the undeniable pull of two souls meant to find each other.