It was the spring of 2022, and life was a whirlwind for both of us.
Wunmi was deep into her medical school rotations in New York, balancing the demands of patient care with the never-ending study sessions.

Layi: I on the other hand, was living in Virginia, working hard and thriving in my career.
s/o to Eni Atoe-Asokeji, she was always one to play matchmaker, though I never took her attempts too seriously. One day, during one of our catch-up calls, she casually mentioned that she knew an "incredible young lady" in New York who was passionate, caring, and had a contagious energy. I laughed it off, thinking it was just another one of Eni’s attempts to meddle in my love life.

Wunmi: Meanwhile, She was making a similar pitch to me, telling me about this man she attended University with, whom she thought i’d hit it off with. "He’s smart, driven, and has the kindest heart," she said. I was hesitant in light of the challenges of long-distance dating.

But Eni persisted, and eventually, we agreed to exchange numbers, more to appease her than anything else. Our first conversation was over the phone, and what started as a quick chat stretched into hours.

For context I was studying for my step 2 medicine boards and Layi would always make sure our conversations ended with ample time for me to go back to study.

We discovered we shared more than just a friend—we had similar values, a love for family, a passion for learning and making a difference in the world.

That phone call led to many more, and soon, we were texting and calling each other every day. It didn’t take long before we decided to meet in person. Layi made the trip to New York one weekend, and the moment we met face-to-face, everything clicked. The connection we felt over the phone was even stronger in person. We spent the weekend exploring the city, talking about our dreams and ambitions, and by the time Sunday evening rolled around, neither of us wanted to say goodbye.

Over time, what began as a casual introduction turned into something much deeper. Despite the distance, we made it work, visiting each other whenever we could, and supporting each other through the ups and downs of our careers. Looking back now, it’s amazing to think how a simple introduction by a mutual friend brought us together.

And that’s how our story began, with a little nudge from a friend and a lot of trust in the process.