Mike and Tracey met as co-workers in the spring of 2010. Their shared interest in their alma mater, the University of Florida, led them to a shared lunch together during the March Madness college basketball tournament. While the Gators lost that game, Tracey turned out to be the real winner, as Mike threw caution to the wind and bought her a Dr. Pepper.

While the pair soon became regular lunch partners, they were still just work-friends (which as we all know is different from friend-friends, and nowhere close to girlfriend-boyfriend). Mike, resolving not to get stuck in the dreaded work-friend zone, waited desperately for the perfect moment to improve his situation. And so, one fateful day, Mike sat down across from Tracey at lunch, determined that he would ask her out to dinner no matter what. Tracey, clearly sensing their destiny was close at hand, excitedly informed him she was leaving the company and moving to Jupiter.

All appeared lost. Mike calmly congratulated Tracey, but inside he was in turmoil. Partly because she was leaving, but mostly because he had no idea where the hell Jupiter was. After the lunch Mike Googled frantically to find out. Jupiter was... not close. But not too far. They would have to really like each other to start dating from that far away. Should he still ask? Could she possibly say yes under these circumstances?

I think you know what happened next.

Now, eight wonderful years after their semi-long-distance romance began, Mike wonders how he ever got so lucky, and if Tracey will ever pay him back for the Dr. Pepper.