To anyone who ever said you can’t meet the love of your life without leaving your house, they lied. It was a love story brought together by just that - our home - two total strangers living in the same Seaport apartment building (Metlo/previously Nema *shoutout to the OG Nema crew*) like ships passing in the night.

On a casual Sunday in the spring, Devon was doing one of her favorite things - obsessively cleaning with a glass of wine in hand - when she received a text from a fellow Nema bestie (for the unfamiliar, Nema was/is essentially college for 30-somethings). This bestie, Kait (love ya!), asked if she could come hang out and bring a 'friend’ along. In true dorm-room fashion, it was of course a quick “yes” (having no idea who this ‘friend’ was).

Like the star he is, in strolls Adam, confident swagger and all.

Well, what a surprise it would be… For quite some time, Devon had seen Adam in passing and had harbored a quiet, school-girl crush on this mystery neighbor. She had no idea who he was or even his name - and now this complete stranger was all-too-comfortably making himself at home on her couch.

After an evening of yapping (*shocking* for Adam) and good laughs, the two said goodbye. Devon figured she may never see the stranger again but did ponder on the serendipitous nature of the encounter.

Welp, was she wrong...

Ironically, Adam had just moved out of Nema (albeit literally down the street), but within a week's time, he finally decided to shoot his shot. Reflective of their age gap (actual gap not to be disclosed (never ask a woman her age), but Devon is in fact the elder), she was surprised to open her Instagram to a *DM* (*direct message* for anyone reading this over the age of 45).

AR: “How about we break in my new rooftop with a bottle of wine?”

DM: *gulps* (the IG DM approach was fairly new/unknown territory for the millennial)

Having essentially given up on dating/meeting the man of her dreams after surpassing the archaic age of 30, Devon thought *YOLO*, why not…

The DM was replied to. That wine cork was popped. Adam returned to Devon’s… and never left (literally). Inseparable from basically day one, they had each met their match.

Three years and four Nema apartments later, plus the addition of one furry child (we love you our perfect Ripp!!!), never settle for what you think you’re *supposed* to do… A love story made possible by simply opening the front door. <3