Warm cups of coffee, reading indoors by a fireplace, and spending time with my boyfriend Calvin are what the autumn months are all about to me. The changing seasons give me time to relax and think about all the wonderful things that happened this year. One of the best things that happened to me all year was meeting my boyfriend because he’s the most remarkable person I’ve ever met. But you’re probably curious to know how we met, right? Well, now, while you’re comfy, I will tell you that story.

One January morning, I was walking my golden retriever, Molly, through town when I bumped into Calvin. He told me that he was new in town and that he liked my dog. I told him my name was Hazel, and I’d lived in Willow Falls all my life.  Willow Falls is a small town of about five hundred people; there are numerous small businesses like Joe’s Coffee, Caitlyn’s Hometown Ice Cream, and a bookstore called Rosie’s Bookshop. All the businesses are named after the people who own them, most of whom are my Uncle Tom’s age. Calvin told me he recently got a job at Joe’s Coffee Shop and that I’m the prettiest girl he’s seen in town yet. Calvin then asked me out on our first date.

Our first date was at the local farmer’s market, where we bought fresh vegetables and flowers. That night, Calvin would take me back to his parents’ house for a fresh salad. Even though most people really dislike eating vegetables, I’m a vegetarian, and I’d rather eat a garden salad than a cheeseburger. I stopped eating meat when I watched the movie Charlotte’s Web for the first time when I was younger. So anyway, Calvin and I went to his house and chopped up onions, cucumber, lettuce, carrots, spinach, and tomatoes to make our salad.

That evening, as we sat down to eat our salad at Calvin’s, I couldn’t help but notice how comfortable everything felt. Calvin’s house had the same cozy, small-town charm as Willow Falls itself—simple, warm, and welcoming. There were old family photos on the walls, and the soft hum of his dad’s favorite Louis Armstrong record played in the background.

As we talked, I realized how easy it was to open up to Calvin. We talked about everything—from our favorite books to silly childhood memories. He told me about growing up in a much bigger city and how different Willow Falls was for him. “There’s something special about a place where everybody knows your name,” he said, smiling softly.

After dinner, we took Molly for another walk through the quiet streets, with the cold January air turning our breath into little clouds. “You know,” Calvin said, glancing at me with a playful grin, “this might sound weird, but I already feel like I’ve known you forever.”

I laughed, feeling the same way, but I wasn’t sure how to respond. Before I could think of something clever to say, he reached out and gently took my hand. It was a simple gesture, but it made my heart skip a beat.

From that night on, Calvin became a part of my everyday life. We spent our weekends at Rosie’s Bookshop, flipping through old novels and discussing everything we wanted out of life. Sometimes, he’d surprise me at Joe’s Coffee with my favorite drink, a caramel latte just how I like it.

Looking back on those early days, I realize it wasn’t the grand gestures that made me fall for Calvin. It was the way he made me feel seen—like I was the only person in the room, even in a crowd. And every time I looked into his warm, brown eyes; I knew that whatever we were building—would be something real. Something that lasted forever.

This was written by our co-founder and editor-in-chief, Hanna Perry.