Like many modern love stories, ours began online. Neither of us was even sure we wanted to date. For me, it was simply about putting myself back out there after a very long time. For Aaron, he was still grieving the loss of his dad and grandmother, and his heart wasn't quite ready for a new relationship.

Our first date was at a little dive bar down the street from my house. There weren't fireworks or movie-worthy sparks, but there was something better. We laughed, played pool, talked for hours, and instantly felt comfortable together. We just clicked.

Our second date was at a sports bar on the night the Astros won the World Series. I knew next to nothing about baseball—which is pretty embarrassing considering the family I come from—but Aaron patiently explained everything as it happened: the plays, the rules, the strike zone, and why everyone around us was either celebrating or holding their breath. Looking back, that night was the beginning of him teaching me about the things he loved, and me loving them because he did.

After that, we weren't quite sure where things were headed. Aaron didn't feel ready for a girlfriend, but we had so much fun together that we decided to just be friends. That decision turned out to be one of the best either of us ever made. Before long, we were best friends, and eventually roommates. We were spending nearly all of our time together anyway, so it simply made sense.

In those early months, we were both still dating other people, even helping each other get ready for our respective dates. But somewhere along the way, we fell in love—even if neither of us was quite ready to admit it.

Then, about five months later, during a completely ordinary car ride running a random errand, Aaron looked over and said, "I don't understand why we don't just date."

It was such a simple question, but it changed everything. That ordinary moment became the beginning of the most rewarding, supportive, and deeply loving relationship either of us has ever known.

Turns out the best relationship either of us ever had started because we decided not to date.