Fateful Encounter

I’m not sure if many people know the charming tale of how I met my husband, but it’s a story of faith and serendipity. Back in 2019, I had a bit of a “party girl” phase—yes, those who knew me back then might remember the social whirlwind. I loved my weekday outings, and at the time, I was seeing someone else. It was during a weeknight escapade at a Tampa bar on SoHo Street that things took a divine, albeit slightly tipsy, turn.

That night, my phone decided to pursue a solo adventure, much to my dismay. I kept insisting to my then-boyfriend that it was “God’s will” for my phone to disappear, which, in hindsight, ties in perfectly with my husband’s current ribbing about my penchant for divine intervention.

Fast forward to the next day—hello, Friday! Sans phone, I asked my friend, A, via iPad (thank you, technology!) if we could hit up St. Pete. He was game, but as the universe would have it, plans took a detour. Amidst the jiving and imbibing, I bumped into an old work acquaintance at the bar. As I inquired about his new job, he introduced me to a charming savior, T.

T and I bonded over a bathroom break—the sacred ground where many lifelong female friendships are forged. Upon returning, I realized my friends had pulled a disappearing act, stranding me. My work acquaintance kindly offered a ride, albeit with an itinerary that was less than appealing. Luckily, T overheard and, during our second bathroom interlude, offered salvation with a ride home. Bless her, because I promptly passed out in her car.

Little did I know, my future husband was in the back seat that night. However, I was far too inebriated to notice. Fast forward 6-7 months to Oktoberfest, where T reintroduced us. She was his supervisor, and when we met again, it was like that magical moment when the puzzle pieces click into place. We chatted and laughed the night away, and from that moment, we were inseparable.

Oh, and remember my AWOL phone? The day after that fateful night, my parents tracked it down via Life360. T, being the gem she is, left her contact on a napkin on my fridge after escorting me safely into my apartment. Life has a funny way of unfolding, and I genuinely believe that none of it would’ve happened without a little divine choreography.