It All Started with Coffee: Our Story Prologue
Our Story, From Both Sides
September 12th, 2025.
Every love story has two perspectives. Ours began with a simple coffee that turned into something much more, and while the facts are the same, the way each of us remembers those first moments is uniquely our own. We decided to share both sides — his and hers — because love is built on more than one voice. It’s shaped by two people, each bringing their own hopes, doubts, and realizations.
Andras’s Side
After living in Sequim, Washington, for eight years, my marriage had ended and I found myself back in single life. Almost immediately, I knew it wasn’t for me — I’ve always felt more alive with a partner to share life with. So, cautiously, I signed up for online dating.
When I matched with Lelaine, something felt promising, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. We decided to meet at a Starbucks in Belfair, figuring at worst we’d get a decent cup of coffee. From the first few minutes, the conversation felt effortless, as if I were catching up with someone I had known for years. Her smile, her warmth, the way she really listened — it all drew me in. That drive home didn’t feel long at all. I knew I had met someone rare.
What followed were months of excitement — visits back and forth, mostly with her making the two-hour drive. But as winter set in, the distance began to weigh on me. Out of frustration, I told her I wasn’t sure long-distance would work. With her calm grace, she said, “Okay, if that’s what you want. Let’s stay friends.” It only took a few days of missing her to realize the truth: I didn’t want less of her in my life — I wanted more.
Lelaine’s Side
In 2020, I had moved in with my mother after leaving a painful relationship. With my youngest daughter off to college, I needed to heal, reconnect with myself, and find strength as a single woman. By 2022, I felt ready to try dating again. Even so, I carried doubts. Past experiences with online dating had left me cautious.
When I first began talking with Andras, he seemed different — genuine — though the fact that he lived nearly two hours away made me hesitate. Distance was something I worried about, and eventually, it did test us. But that first meeting in Belfair shifted everything. Sitting in my car, I watched him arrive, nervous about whether he would be who he said he was. The moment he spoke, I melted. His eyes were kind, and he looked exactly like his photos. We ordered London Fog Lattes and slipped into conversation. It felt easy, natural, safe. I left knowing I wanted to see him again.
After a few dates — and a stolen kiss — Andras told me he didn’t think long-distance could work. That was hard to hear. By then, I was already attached. But therapy had taught me to respect myself enough to let go if something wasn’t meant to be. So I stayed calm and agreed we could be friends, even though I hoped for more. Deep down, I trusted that what we shared had reached him too.
Why We’re Sharing This
That Starbucks coffee was just the beginning, but it changed the course of both our lives. By telling the story from both sides, we hope to show not just what happened, but how it felt — the nerves, the laughter, the doubts, and the small moments that mattered most. Love isn’t one perspective; it’s two people choosing each other, again and again.