Ashley and I first met at a group dinner organized during orientation on the first day of med school. "Met" might be too strong a word—we sat diagonally across from each other and didn't even exchange names.

The next day, I was sitting in the lecture hall, and to my surprise and excitement, the beautiful blonde from dinner was sitting in the row behind me. This was my moment, my chance to finally learn her name. When I introduced myself, she responded with, "Oh yeah, you were at dinner last night." Not exactly a hot start, but I was determined.

I'm still not sure how I convinced her to go to Soul Taco with me later that week, on what I consider our first date—but somehow, I did. I don’t think she considers it our first date, though, because, for one, I never called it that, and two, I also made her pay for herself (student loans ya know).

Regardless, everything worked out, and here we are: two dogs, two California road trips, probably 27 weddings of friends and family, and a whole lot of stressful but successful med school moments later.

I can’t say I was always waiting for "the one" to show up. In fact, I even told Ashley when I first met her that I wasn’t planning on having a girlfriend during med school. However, what I can say now is that I’ve met my best friend, my person, and my forever love—all in one.

Sometimes, all it takes is not talking to the blonde across the table because she's radiating beauty, and you're too nervous, hoping your paths will cross again someday.

Luckily for me, they did, and "someday" turned out to be the very next day.

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