It all began on a Memorial Day weekend in 2021, under the vibrant lights of Miami. Ebuka, having lived in Tampa for months, had yet to explore much of Florida. A friend’s birthday was the perfect excuse for a trip. Meanwhile, Chinonso had just moved from Atlanta, and her roommate insisted they celebrate their fresh start.

That night, fate wove their paths together. At an event filled with familiar faces, they stood in the same circle, yet barely noticed each other—until a single sentence changed everything. “Oh, you’re Igbo? We’re Igbo too!” Ebuka’s friend, Okeze, called out. Drawn into conversation, Chinonso suggested exchanging Instagram handles. She typed hers into Ebuka’s phone, but it wouldn’t load. She told him to screenshot it and follow her later—at the same moment, his phone died.

Months passed. Life moved on. Then one day, scrolling through a mutual friend’s Instagram story, Ebuka saw her again. Who is that? he wondered. He recognized her name, and after praying for clarity, he sent her a message. Days later—on Christmas—she finally responded. Their first call lasted twelve hours, from dusk till dawn.

In February, Ebuka returned to Florida and drove from Tampa to Miami for their first date—on Valentine’s Day. From that moment, distance meant nothing. Love grew, flights were booked, and their hearts remained tethered across the miles.

It wasn’t until July 2022 that they realized their story had begun long before they knew it. While reminiscing about that night in Miami, Ebuka scrolled through old pictures—and there it was, the screenshot of Chinonso’s Instagram handle, waiting like a quiet reminder of destiny.

What they thought was chance had been divinely orchestrated by God all along.