It started with distance, and an obstacle between us.

Conor, newly out of college and returned to his parents' home on Long Island, kept seeing the same guy online. He was handsome, a former football player who, based on his profile name, clearly had a nerdy side. And he was only seven miles away - this Fernando guy looked promising!

Well, as it turned out, Fernando was living in Connecticut - and the Long Island Sound was seven miles not quite so easily crossed.

And so, despite multiple chats across multiple platforms, nothing came of it. Until, one day, months later, maybe almost a year, something did.

Fernando had moved to a much more conveniently located Harlem apartment. Conor meanwhile had accepted a grimly unpaid internship in Midtown. Suddenly, without even knowing it, we had closed the distance.

Upon realization, we made plans to grab a drink that same day. Probably some buffalo wings, too. We had waited long enough.

Now, twelve years later, after all the highs and lows, the ups and downs, through it all - we still have another big milestone.

We hope you'll join us to appreciate how far we've come, overlooking the first obstacle we overcame together.