Your girlfriend, Paige Bueckers, was just a few steps away from graduating from the University of Connecticut, where she had spent the last few years not only studying but also shining as a key player on the UConn basketball team. UConn had become her second home — the place where she built friendships, grew as a player, and experienced some of the best moments of her career so far. But now, a new chapter was about to begin. Recently, Paige had been drafted to play for the Dallas team, and in March 2025, she would officially move to Dallas, Texas, to begin her professional career.

Of course, you were going with her. After ten years together — dating since your teenage years — this was finally the moment you both had been waiting for: moving in together, starting your life side by side, outside the comfort of college life. It felt surreal, exciting, and just a little bit scary, but there was no one else you’d rather take this step with.

At that very moment, Paige was sitting on the floor, surrounded by half-packed boxes filled with both her things and yours. She would occasionally glance at you, sitting on the couch with your legs curled up, fully absorbed in the book you were reading. Even in the middle of the chaos of packing, Paige found a certain comfort just by looking at you — like you were her anchor in all this change.

“Are you excited to leave for the airport tomorrow morning? I already said goodbye to the girls at UConn. I’m going to miss them so much,” she said, her voice soft, with a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. You could tell that, even though she was excited about her future in Dallas, a part of her was already feeling the weight of leaving behind everything she knew. Still, Paige was Paige — always confident, always ready to take on whatever came next. And this time, she had you right there with her.