In 2020, two people started a romance at the end of winter. 

 

Happenstance brought them together, although, for one person, it was fated to happen, or they were going to bend the randomness of the universe to their will.

 

One, a stunning employee of a prestigious art museum, and another, some low level tech person. The charming started when the low level tech person described their job as a technology consultant. One person was reserved, the other was unknowingly being mysterious. 

 

After many dates and deep questions asked of each other, life started to get a certain rhythm.

 

Months later, there was a day the two went on a beach trip. After one built a sandcastle for the other, the question was asked: “What are we? Are you my boyfriend?” At that point, on the auspicious Flag Day, romance was labeled.

 

Years of warmth and joy filled the couple’s life, with beach trips and winter excursions.

 

After buying a house together, and finding each other working for the same organization, another fateful beach trip was to happen.

 

With Eliza eating Cheetos on the beach, and James watching intently, trying to ask the most important question there is to ask, Eliza asks first: “Why are you staring at me?” Soon later, James asks to take the empty bag of Cheetos away from Eliza and, in another sand castle, what started as a statement of “I love you… like forever” ended with a “Will you marry me?”

 

As luck would have it, and luck being a cosmic intersection of two unique souls which seems more destined, and to the bewilderment of the narrator,  Eliza said yes.