In this episode, we talk about: >> The exquisite agony of yearning for your best friend for years >> Queerness, demisexuality, and discovering love outside traditional dating norms >> What happens when your carefully curated independent life collides with unexpected soulmate-level love Jillian and Brenna's love story includes board game meetups, tarot readings, COVID bubble companionship, and perhaps the most adorably unhinged real estate decision in soulmate history. What began as an instant friendship evolved into years of emotional intimacy, accidental pseudo-dating, and enough mutual yearning to fuel a queer hockey romance series. Along the way, Jillian was navigating her evolving understanding of her sexuality, while both women wrestled with an enormous question: what happens when the person you love most could either become your partner, or your greatest heartbreak? In this conversation, Jillian and Brenna share how friendship, longing, and a perfectly timed romantic leap transformed their lives. Sometimes, soulmate love shows up as your board game friend, your pandemic bubble, and eventually, your wife next door. More About Your Hosts: Anna Socolofsky is a queer wedding officiant and ceremony designer serving soulmates in Portland, OR and beyond. There is nothing she loves more than cheering folks on. You can learn more about her work (and inquire about booking her for your wedding!) at www.socoandco.com. Grace Heerman is a journalist and podcast producer who tells stories that make people stop, listen, and care. You can find out more about Grace at www.graceheerman.com. If you've been waiting for the right moment to launch a podcast that moves people, reach out to Grace at www.longtailmedia.co. Additional Links: AD >> This episode's community-powered ad spot goes to Lauren DeCristofaro, AKA Married by LB. Lauren is a wedding officiant who strives to provide deeply personal, heartfelt ceremonies that really focus on the couple and their story by centering connection, intention, meaning, and joy. Married by LB is based on the East Coast and offers officiant services, ceremony writing, and officiant coaching in New England and beyond. She's still taking 2026 clients, and her books are wide open for 2027. So if you're an East Coast lover and looking for a wedding officiant, pounce on LB! I mean it! Reach out at www.marriedbylb.com or on Instagram @marriedbylb. ADVERTISE WITH US >> Let us hype you up! Human-written, affordable, community powered ad spots to help us cover three months of our production costs. Click HERE to advertise with us! PERSONAL ADS >> Looking for your soulmate? Publish your personal ad on our show and tell your future lover where to find you. Click HERE to fill out our interest form. BE ON OUR SHOW >> Do you know a little something about soulmates? We'd love to host you on our show. Click here to learn more and sign up. This episode's edit was by Grace Heerman (aka Long Tail Media). The art for our show was created by Gay Ghost Design. Music for this episode by Epidemic Sound and APM Music. Find us on Substack and Instagram.