We chatted for a bit, catching up on small talk as we waited for Rachel to join us. As we talked, I was struck by how easy it was to converse with Alex. He was witty and engaging, with a quick sense of humor that had me laughing in no time.

"Would you like to grab dinner with me sometime this week?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with hope.

As the seasons changed, and the snow began to fall, Alex and I found ourselves cozied up together, watching the snowflakes gently fall outside our window. We talked about our future, about our hopes and dreams, and about the possibilities that lay ahead.