**Justin’s Perspective**

It was one of those routine days in the life of a captain, flying with a new crew. Haliann stood out, though—this was her first time on the job, going through her initial operating experience. I could see the nerves, that spark of excitement mixed with the pressure of a new role. I wanted to reassure her, and all I could muster was a quick, “You’re going to do great,” though I immediately realized it wasn’t the most inspiring thing I could have said.

At the end of the day, we found ourselves outside the Albany airport, waiting for the hotel van. It was late. My responsibility was to figure out where the van was, but my attention wandered. I caught her eyes. For about ten seconds, we locked eyes—an accidental moment that felt longer than it should have. I glanced away awkwardly, wondering if she noticed how long we had held that connection.

Once we got to the hotel, I did my usual thing—inviting the crew to join for dinner. Everyone came except one flight attendant who, being pregnant, opted for some much-needed rest. So there we were, the three of us at dinner, but my attention kept drifting toward Haliann. There was an undeniable connection between us. Something unspoken, but real. After dinner, I wasn’t ready to end the night. I sent her a message on the crew app, asking if she was up for continuing the conversation.

Her response was unexpected. She invited me to go with her for a vape. I said yes, and that short errand turned into a three-hour walk around the hotel in the pouring rain. I’ve always said God is in the rain, and as the drops fell harder and faster, it was like the world around us faded. The only thing left was the two of us, walking, talking, and realizing that something much bigger than a simple connection had started in the rain of Albany.

I walked away that night knowing I had met my soulmate.

**Haliann’s Perspective**

It was my first flight as a flight attendant, and I could feel the pressure of proving myself. I wanted everything to go right, and I was doing my best to keep calm. Then there was him—Captain of the flight, clearly experienced and in control. I think he sensed my nerves because he reassured me, telling me not to be nervous I was going to do great. It wasn’t the most profound pep talk but I appreciated the sentiment.

At the end of our day, we were outside Albany airport, waiting for the hotel van. I noticed him moving around, probably looking for the van, but then, out of nowhere, we locked eyes. It wasn’t one of those fleeting glances. For a full ten seconds, we were just looking at each other. It felt like the world stopped for a moment. I felt safe in his gaze. He quickly looked away, but something about that connection lingered with me.

At the hotel, when he invited everyone out for dinner, I joined, eager to unwind. The dinner went smoothly, with conversations flowing naturally, and there was this feeling between us, something unspoken but present. After dinner, I wasn’t quite ready for the night to end, so when he messaged me, I suggested we go for a quick walk to the gas station.

What was supposed to be a quick trip turned into hours of walking in the rain. We walked around the hotel, getting soaked, but neither of us cared. There was something magical about the rain that night. Every step, every word we exchanged, felt like we were peeling back layers, discovering each other in a way that felt too deep for a first day of knowing someone. I’d always thought rain was calming, but that night it felt transformative.

By the end of that walk, I knew something had changed. I hadn’t just found someone interesting. I had found the person I was meant to meet. It didn’t feel like a beginning; it felt like a realization. In the rain of Albany, I met my soulmate.

Our Elopement