"Excuse me, excuse me, are you two a couple?"
This question stops them in their tracks as they're strolling down a tiny New York side street. A Saturday when the tree-lined streets create a green canopy in the sky, and the hot weather calls for a scoop of ice cream from Olivia's.
"Are you two a couple," the stranger asks again.
She looks up at him, grabs his hand and says, "Yes".
"Yeah, we are."
"Would you mind telling us the story of how you first met?"
They look at each other, chuckling. A stranger approaching you in the city never results in a question like this, so he decides to give the short answer.
"We met in high school. I was a football player, and she was a cheerleader." She's wearing a sundress with her hair in a high pony to avoid feeling sticky in the heat. She nods in agreement, and he can't help but notice the resemblance to that time 14 years ago.
"So you're high school sweethearts?"
"Not quite," she squeezes his hand and continues to look at him, forgetting a stranger is filming the two of them tell this story. "We had a complicated relationship in high school, but started dating after my sophomore year of college."
"How long ago was that?"
"9 years ago," they said in unison.
"9 years in, what's your favourite thing about him?"
"Um, I love how much he's grown and seeing him grow all of this time. He is the most caring and thoughtful and attentive person and he doesn't always show that to everyone, but I see it every day."
"What's your favourite thing about her?"
"Her brain. She's so smart. I've seen her overcome a lot, and I love her persistence, and I'm just really proud of her."
Whoa, she was not expecting this love affair today. Her eyes had started to water, and at the next question, she had to try real hard not to let the tears fall.
"What are you most looking forward to in the future?"
He looks at her as if to ask if they are going to spill the beans.
"Ah, well, we're pregnant, so I'm looking forward to having a family with her."
"Yeah, we haven't told anyone yet, so I guess this is our announcement."
"Congratulations—"
"Thank you."
"What are your names?"
"I'm Quinn."
"Noah."