You know those friends you can be apart from for ages, yet fall right back into ease and comfort the moment you connect again? That’s Elaine for me. We met in high school through dance team. I was a senior, Elaine was a freshman. I’ve always admired Elaine’s drive, work ethic, and bravery. She moved to New York City to pursue her performance dreams and I’ve never seen another 20 year old work so hard.

Her move to the city also allowed me to visit New York for the first time, with Elaine as my personal guide and adventure buddy. Years passed as each of us lived our lives on different coasts, yet we kept coming together virtually or IRL. I remember receiving a FaceTime call after she and her now husband got engaged and the pure joy I felt for them and their story, and also for myself in that I was someone they wanted to share that joy with.

I had the honor of being in their wedding in June of 2022. And I finally made it down to Miami this past April to visit them in their new home and routine there. Miami was beautiful, vibrant, full of amazing foods, diversity, and warmth.