Picture it: 1994. Footlocker, during the golden era of sneakers and hip-hop, was a true sneaker kingdom tucked beneath the food court’s tantalizing aromas. Carmen was a sweet young thang, juggling shoes and sass behind the counter when a bold young man named Cedric strolled in.

With the confidence of someone who had rehearsed his lines in front of a supportive audience, Cedric declared, “I want to try on 35 pairs of shoes.”

Carmen couldn’t help but laugh. “Thirty-five pairs of shoes?” she replied. But like a well-timed punchline, his quirky charm worked. Despite having no cash and a group of friends egging him on from outside the store, Cedric managed to snag her number that very day.

Before long, the two became a couple. It was his first year of college and her last year of high school. They were young, smitten, and full of potential.

What followed were summers filled with near misses and serendipitous run-ins. No matter how much time passed, they always picked up right where they left off, sharing secret smiles and fond memories. Their “almost love story” became a humorous subplot in life’s grand narrative that spanned nearly three decades.

Then one day, out of the blue, Cedric sent a message that read, “I may need your expertise on something.” Intrigued, Carmen soon discovered he needed help decorating his home.

And just like that, the cosmos wove its final thread. What had always been a playful, lingering connection transformed into something deeper and lasting.

Their thirty-one-year almost love story finally blossomed into a forever love story, marking the beginning of their happily ever after.