We were introduced by our friend Lucas at our school library the end of second year. Immediately it was a challenge of who knew the best Disney original movie. We quickly became friends. Steve grew the Andre Iguodala New Orleans fan club from one to two, and we talked basketball and drank Highlife (even though Steve had no interest in the NBA despite growing up watching the guy from Space Jam). Steve will say he tried first. Nicole will say she tried second. Both will be right. Only one of us can say we were rejected by the other to go home and drink wine with their cat Layla.

Fast forward to graduation where Steve ended up in the middle of Nicole’s family photo where Wanda (Nicole’s mom) looks like she is there for his graduation (see photos for proof). Both Steve and Nicole would go home to complete their training where they told one another they would never leave. Her to California. Him to Chicago….

Then once apart, Nicole realized Steve was more than just a friend. Nicole visited Chicago multiple times to see Steve. Somewhere between providing drunken amateur commentary for the Winter Olympics and Steve getting trench foot pulling Nicole’s wheel bag through the polar vortex they fell in love. Nicole and Steve went on to spend six years long distance.

Finally in July 2024 Steve ended up breaking his life long vow to never leave Chicago and moved West to find something even more valuable than gold (Steve’s line).