perfectly aligned

i want to tell you a story about the first time i met leah and i want to tell you a story about the first time i met brian (two separate stories):

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leah was the person who had the interview before me to join the texas 4000 team. 6p sharp. get it over early, just like me (6:15p). a few friendly words and a good impression. the idea that the likelihood of us both making the team was not high.

weeks later, as i got to know her, i realized how perfect that all was, how we always had the same read on the pulse of a situation, how we could have endless car rides where we got lost and didn't realize it because of deep conversations, how we could do crazy things together, how much those weekly bike rides and core workouts meant to me, how deeply i loved her in that way you only love your very best friends.

i always have and will always want only the very best for her; she works so hard and is such an incredible person, she doesn't deserve anything less than that.

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i met brian about eight months later - at a UT tailgate party at leah's of all things. i rode my bike and had two sprained ankles (not kidding). leah was taking me to my first ever UT game and she wanted to do it right.

brian was one of her very best friends, and from the moment i met him, i could tell just how truly in tune they were. the potential for more than just great friends.

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it wasn't until months later that they came to be together, and i have only a few things to say about that. i have met so very few people who are incredible on their own and yet somehow also incredible as a couple, a team. leah and brian are that way.

this weekend while they were out of town i watered their plants. it is weird to say this but standing alone in their apartment (not something i had ever done before for any length of time), you can just feel the energy and love in there. it's fucking crazy but they give me hope that sometimes people are just meant for each other. and on my less positive days, it's something worth holding on to.

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but you know what? two of my very closest friends just got engaged today and i am so incredibly happy that i can say TWO and not just one, because my life is truly better having known both of them, and i feel like i have a friend in them together and separately.

thank you, brian and leah. you have been better friends than i could have ever asked for - i am looking forward to the rest, all of it.