It’s Friday Night in Austin, Texas on the eve of SXSW. The biggest conference of the year where over the course of 10 days music, film and tech professionals flock to the city for a good ole time. Locals are far too used to the hoopla and hospitality industry is booming. I can’t find a reasonably priced hotel or Airbnb so I turn to Instagram in hopes someone can give me a lead on where to stay.

Low & behold, Bella Blaze. Rarely does anyone extend an invitation for me too stay, let alone a girl I’ve never met. After a few back and forth texts earlier that day, she sends me her address. I really have no idea what to expect. Apparently we matched on a dating app more than 2 years prior and here I am going to her house alongside my dog at 10pm after a 4 hour flight. I’m tired, hungry, but curious to see who in their right mind would invite a stranger in like this. Nevertheless, grateful as I’m saving tons of money so I’m on my best behavior as a well mannered guest.

Over the course of that night week Bella and I spent a lot of time together. Partying, photo shoots, skateboarding, grocery shopping, flirting, talking about boyfriends, frustrations, dreams of travel and so much more. We were kind of inseparable and oddly similar. Was she my twin flame? My best friend? Kooky, willing to take risks with strangers & a strong creative drive there was no doubt the .