A Love Story in Lockdown by Zaia

It was a chilly February evening in 2020, when I first met Inez at Oldfield’s Liquor Room, a cozy neighborhood bar just steps from her place. It wasn’t a grand encounter—no dramatic gestures or cinematic moments—but from the start, our conversation felt effortless. We talked for hours, sharing stories and discovering a connection that neither of us had anticipated. By the end of the night, I walked Inez home, promising we'd see each other again soon.

Just weeks later, the world came to a halt. The streets of Los Angeles grew quiet, and the hum of daily life disappeared as COVID-19 brought lockdowns and uncertainty. Suddenly, everything felt paused—except for our connection. What could have faded into a fleeting moment became something more when Inez invited me to work from her place. “If we’re going to be stuck inside, we might as well keep each other company,” she texted me.

What started as makeshift desks and shared Wi-Fi turned into something much deeper. We cooked meals together, laughing through mishaps in the kitchen. One night, I perfected a pan-seared salmon recipe while Inez baked her first batch of lemon bars, proudly declaring them “almost too good to share.” Afternoons were filled with long conversations on the couch, the kind where time seemed to slip away, while evenings became movie marathons and debates over who made the better popcorn.

As the world outside grew more uncertain, our little bubble of connection brought us closer than either of us could have imagined. The isolation, instead of pulling us apart, became a foundation for something extraordinary.

By the time the city began to reopen, Inez and I were no longer two people figuring things out—we were a team. Our love had grown quietly, steadily, and against all odds in the midst of a world turned upside down. And from those early days of quiet mornings, shared meals, and late-night laughs, a partnership was born that neither of us could imagine our lives without.

Our love story didn’t just begin at Oldfield’s—it thrived in the moments no one saw coming, proving that sometimes, the most unexpected circumstances bring people exactly where they’re meant to be.

A Beautiful Life Together by Inez

Five years ago, Zaia and I began our journey together, and since then, we've built a life filled with meaningful moments and shared adventures. From moving out of our separate apartments and into our cozy townhouse on the West Side to traveling the world together, we’ve embraced every moment with excitement and openness.

Our careers have grown alongside us, and through every milestone and setback, we’ve been each other's greatest support. We take immense pride in what we've achieved both individually and together, but it’s the love we share that has been the foundation of it all. Whether celebrating wins or navigating challenges, our partnership has always been our greatest source of strength and fulfillment. I am endlessly proud of Zaia, and he reminds me daily how proud he is of me.

Through our separate hobbies and passions, we always find our way back to the things we love sharing together — still laughing often, cooking cozy meals together (though my favorite meal is still a good dinner reservation), and surrounding ourselves with friends who feel like family.

At the core of it all, Zaia and I are simply best friends who love spending time together. I once shared that if I could spend every day just hanging out with Zaia, I would feel completely content at the end of my life—and that still holds true today. As we look ahead to the future, we’re excited to continue laughing, learning, and growing side by side, always embracing the adventure that began on that chilly February night five years ago.