In the summer of 2018, Juanita and Steven had a brief yet memorable encounter in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Juanita, a Hotelier from London, was visiting on vacation, met Steven a College Professor who lives in Fort Lauderdale. Their mutual friend, who was picking up a suitcase from Steven's house, introduced them. The meeting was casual and not very long, but they exchanged pleasantries, unaware of the significance this brief interaction would hold in their futures.

Over the next few years, Juanita and Steven kept in touch though not directly, but through updates and hellos shared by their mutual friend. They occasionally heard snippets about each other's lives, which kept a faint connection alive. Despite the distance and their busy lives, the memory of that brief meeting remained. Then, in the fall of 2022, Steven travelled to London to celebrate his godmother’s 80th birthday. Knowing that Juanita lived in London, he arranged to meet her for lunch, carrying a bag of goodies from their mutual friend. However, when he arrived at the East Croydon train station, he accidentally left the bag in the taxi.

Juanita, ever calm and resourceful, made several phone calls and managed to get a commitment from the taxi driver to return the bag to the East Croydon train station. They decided to wait for the driver at a local Costa, where they spent 2 hours catching up and filling in the gaps of the last few years since they had seen each other, whilst Juanita enjoyed a coffee and Steven a hot chocolate. Although they did not have much time to spend together in London, an undeniable connection was formed. Upon Steven’s return to the United States, they communicated regularly, sharing their daily lives and future dreams. Their friendship grew from strength to strength and a relationship was formed. Their bond was deepened despite the physical distance. They both made trips back and forth to ensure that the fire of their new love would keep blazing.

By the spring of 2024, Steven had planned a special surprise. At a gathering at Juanita's aunt’s home, surrounded by close family and friends at home and virtually, Steven proposed. He recounted their journey, from their brief meeting in Fort Lauderdale to their reconnection in London, and asked her to marry him. Overwhelmed with joy, Juanita tearfully said yes. Steven placed a beautiful ring on her finger and their engagement became a wonderful testament to their unexpected love story.